Catalytic Converter Thieves Injured In Crash: Petaluma Police

PETALUMA, CA — Two men were arrested on suspicion of grand theft, conspiracy and other charges early Tuesday in Petaluma when a resident heard drilling coming from his Toyota Prius and called police.

"He reported two unknown suspects were near his Prius and assumed they were stealing his catalytic converter due to the similar thefts in the area," the Petaluma Police Department said in a news release.

The resident of the 700 block of Keokuk Street also told police he saw a dark-colored sedan parked next to his car.

Officers were dispatched to the scene at 5:09 a.m. Tuesday but the suspects were already gone. As they searched the area, an officer spotted a car matching the description near Prospect and Howard streets.

Police said two men were inside the car and as the officer switched on his emergency lights to pull them over, the suspects immediately drove southbound on Howard Street at a high rate of speed.

The officer ended the pursuit because of the suspect's reckless driving, police said.

It did not take long for officers to catch up with the duo because they crashed into a tree at Sixth and A streets.

The driver of the car, 34-year-old Oakland resident Omar Bonilla Villalta, and the passenger, 36-year-old San Leandro resident Fabian DeLeon Beas, both suffered moderate injuries in the crash and were admitted to a local hospital.

Police said Villalta had a Glock handgun in his waistband, while Beas was on felony probation out of Alameda County.

Inside the car, officers found two catalytic converters and tools to cut the exhaust components, police said.

"Suspect Villalta will be charged with Felony Evading causing an injury, Grand Theft, Conspiracy, and possession of a concealed firearm," Petaluma police said. "Suspect Beas will be charged with Grand Theft and Conspiracy. It was later determined the vehicle they were driving, a gray Honda Civic, was stolen out of the East Bay."

Not unlike many other cities in the Bay Area, Petaluma has seen a sharp increase in the theft of catalytic converters, police said.

Thieves target catalytic converters because the device contains a small amount of precious metal.

"There are some auto repair shops that install metal cages to prevent thefts, but simple prevention measures, such as parking inside a garage, or in the driveway, installing motion sensor lights or cameras and not parking in dark secluded areas, deter many suspects," Petaluma police said. "While some thefts have occurred during the day, most thefts occur between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m."