Catalytic Converter Theft Arrests In San Leandro

SAN LEANDRO, CA — San Leandro Police arrested four people suspected of stealing or attempting to steal catalytic converters from vehicles.

The first happened at about 2 a.m. on Dec. 29. Officers found a green sedan with no license plates in the parking lot of the San Leandro Unified School District campus on Juniper Street. Officers detained 46-year-old Omar Rivera of Stockton who was standing near the vehicle. The officers could hear the sound of a power tool in the distance and spotted a flashlight being used underneath a school bus. Police say 43-year-old Ramon Ramirez of Oakland was caught underneath a school bus with burglary tools. He was also detained.

Both have been charged by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office in connection with catalytic convertor theft and possession of burglary tools.

At the exact same location at 10:45 p.m. on Jan. 9, officers were alerted to a catalytic convertor theft in progress. While headed to the call, a video monitoring service reported seeing a red SUV and two people.

Arriving officers could hear power tools being used. The suspects tried to flee in the SUV.

The suspects led officers on a short vehicle pursuit but were arrested under the I-238 freeway at Mission Street. Both suspects were arrested on suspicion of theft and vehicle pursuit-related crimes. SLPD was assisted by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol.

"This an example of dedicated officers doing their job, coupled with great teamwork between SLPD officers and our allied agencies," said Lieutenant Matthew Barajas.