Major OC Catalytic Converter Theft Ring Busted: Police

Five people were arrested in connection with the theft ring victimizing drivers across the Southland.

By City News Service, Patch Staff

Sep 4, 2026 10:38 PM PDT | Updated Sep 4, 2026 10:52 PM PDT

Boxes of catalytic converters were collected during the investigation. (Orange County Sheriff's Department)

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Two men accused of being part of a catalytic converter theft ring in Orange County were behind bars Friday.

Investigators recovered about 2,400 suspected stolen catalytic converters, several large shipping boxes containing precious metals, two unregistered weapons and about $105,000 in cash, deputies said. The total value of the stolen catalytic converters amounted to about $4.3 million, deputies said.

Catalytic converters were collected during the investigation (Orange County Sheriff's Department).

Investigators were able to link a series on catalytic converter thefts, occurring throughout multiple cities in Orange County, with a complex organization of catalytic converter thefts, dismantling, transfers, and purchasing.

Jorge Alberto Delgadillo, 35, of Maywood and Julio Moreno Reyes, 40, of Los Angeles, were booked Thursday on suspicion of grand theft and conspiracy, sheriff's deputies said.

Three other men have been arrested during the course of the investigation.

Gilberto Valdovino, 27, and Brayan CruzDeLeon, 20, both of Los Angeles, were booked June 19, with CruzDeLeon released from custody Aug. 19, according to Orange County Jail records. Hugo SaenzMarin, 24, of Compton, was also booked in connection with the theft ring, deputies said.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department worked with Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies and firefighters as well as the state Department of Motor Vehicles Investigations, the state Department of Insurance Investigations and Irvine code enforcement.