Man Sought In Armed Robbery, Chase Arrested In SoCal: Napa Sheriff

NAPA COUNTY, CA — The Napa Police Department arrested a man in Southern California in connection with a catalytic converter theft at gunpoint reported last week in American Canyon.

A resident on Iron Horse Drive called 911 to report the armed robbery at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25. The resident told police they heard noises so they went outside and saw a man cutting the catalytic converter off their car.

The resident said a second man approached them and displayed a black semi-automatic handgun and told them to go back inside while the other suspect continued to cut off the catalytic converter, according to American Canyon police.

The suspects were seen driving off in a silver Toyota Corolla with black rims.

When American Canyon officers tried to stop the car, the driver instead rammed a patrol car, police said. Officers pursued the suspects until the Corolla entered westbound state Highway 37 in the eastbound lanes. ACPD terminated the pursuit due to the vehicle driving the wrong way in heavy commute traffic and public safety, police said.

• PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Suspects Steal Catalytic Converter At Gunpoint, Hit Police Car: ACPD

Detectives continued to investigate the case. On Friday, the Napa County Sheriff's Office announced that one of the suspects in the incident, 26-year-old Julio Cesar Chavez Ledesma, had been arrested more than 400 miles away in Barstow.

"Thank you Barstow Police Department officers for finding and arresting our suspect ... " the Napa County Sheriff's Office said in a social media post. "The gun was not found but Chavez-Ledesma was still in possession of some ammunition."

Sheriff's detectives returned to Napa County from Barstow with an extra passenger.

"We are thankful to our community members and new friends at Barstow Police Department."

Chavez-Ledesma was booked into Napa County jail Friday night on suspicion of armed robbery, reckless evading, grand theft, vehicle theft, conspiracy to commit a felony, vandalism, receiving stolen property and assault with a deadly weapon upon a peace officer, records showed.

He remained in custody Tuesday with his bail set at $200,000.

The sheriff's office did not say whether the second suspect has been arrested.