San Mateo Catalytic Converter Theft Suspect Leads Police On Chase

SAN MATEO, CA — A catalytic converter theft suspect was arrested and a loaded gun was seized early Tuesday morning in San Mateo after the suspect led authorities on a freeway chase, police said.

Ernesto Guevaraortega, 36, of Oakland, was arrested on suspicion of possessing weapons and stolen property among other charges, police said.

Two additional suspects remain at large.

Police were called shortly after 1 a.m. to the area of Fernwood Street and 28th Avenue in San Mateo after a resident reported seeing suspicious activity by what appeared to be "masked men" underneath a vehicle.

The caller said the men then fled northbound on Alameda de las Pulgas in an Audi SUV.

Officers saw and attempted to stop the SUV on Alameda de las Pulgas, but it fled onto eastbound state Highway 92, off at El Camino Real and back westbound on Highway 92, stopping when it hit an on-ramp median that flattened the tires.

Three people fled the SUV into nearby brush. One was found and arrested and two remain at large. A search of the SUV turned up a loaded gun, catalytic converters, and tools used to remove automobile parts.

Guevaraortega was booked at San Mateo County Jail for being a felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, possession of stolen property, grand theft, possession of burglary tools, and conspiracy to commit crime.

Catalytic converters were mandated for all vehicles in the United States in 1975 to reduce pollution.

They are made with valuable metals, including platinum, palladium, rhodium or gold and are relatively easy to steal, making them an attractive target for thieves.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call San Mateo Police Dispatch at (650) 522-7700.

— Bay City News and Patch Editor Gideon Rubin contributed to this report