​Men Arrested For Catalytic Converter Theft In San Rafael

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Police arrested two Oakland men for catalytic converter theft following a traffic stop Saturday, Aug. 24, in San Rafael.

Police received a report of a catalytic converter theft at 10 p.m. Saturday near Kerner Boulevard and Shoreline Parkway. The victim parked at 8 p.m. and when he returned about two hours later, he heard an unusual amount of noise coming from the engine when he started his car. He inspected the car and saw the catalytic converter had been cut out.

Twenty minutes later, an officer driving on Canal Street near Medway Road spotted a vehicle with no license plates. The officer pulled over the vehicle and saw a catalytic converter inside, along with drug paraphernalia.

The officer who took the theft report came to the scene of the traffic stop and identified the catalytic converter as the one reported stolen. During a search of the vehicle, officers also found a reciprocating saw and additional tools, as well as two additional catalytic converters and drugs.

Jose Melgoza-Rojo, 43, and Douglas Mejia, 33, were booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of felony conspiracy to commit a crime, breaking/removing vehicle parts, possession of stolen property, felony vandalism, possession of burglary tools, and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call San Rafael police at 415-485-3000. Tips can also be submitted online.