San Leandro Police Make Catalytic Converter Theft Arrests

SAN LEANDRO, CA — Police arrested two men last week accused in catalytic converter thefts.

The first happened Wednesday night in the area of Pershing Drive and Stoakes Avenue. Police had received a report of a catalytic convertor theft in progress. Officers found the suspect actively removing a catalytic converter from a victim’s vehicle, they report. The suspect ran off and got away. However, an officer found the suspect’s vehicle near the scene of the theft with another person waiting in the vehicle. He was taken into custody for firearm-related charges and theft.

At 3:34 the following morning, officers got another call about a catalytic convertor theft in progress, this time in the 2100 block of Bancroft Avenue. Officers found two vehicles and their occupants who appeared to be working together to steal a catalytic converter from a vehicle. Both of the suspect vehicles sped off when officers arrived. Police used a tire deflation device on one of them. A suspect ran from this vehicle, but officers eventually caught him. He was arrested for grand theft and possession of stolen property.

The second suspect vehicle was found abandoned on the I-238 onramp from Hesperian Boulevard. Officers located three stolen catalytic convertors inside the abandoned vehicle.

“We are grateful for the community members that had the courage to report these crimes to SLPD," said Lieutenant Matthew Barajas. "Without their assistance, we would not have been able to make two arrests.”

Barajas also praised the officers for making the arrests.