San Ramon PD Arrest 3 In Connection With Catalytic Converter Theft

SAN RAMON, CA — San Ramon police officers arrested three people suspected of stealing catalytic converters early Thursday morning.

At 3:15 a.m., officers say they conducted a traffic stop on a gray van with an expired registration. During a probation search, officers reportedly found a floor jack, a sawzall with a metal blade in the rear passenger floorboard, and a cut catalytic converter hidden in the back.

Three suspects were arrested: a 35-year-old male, 60-year-old female, and 30-year-old male, all from Bay Point. No further descriptions were given. They were charged with possession of burglary tools, unlawful possession of tear gas, giving a false name to a police officer, and driving on a suspended license.

Catalytic converter theft claims have risen more than 1,000 percent since 2019, according to AAA data reported by the League of California Cities. California also accounts for almost one-third of all catalytic convert claims in the U.S. made to State Farm, according to the League.

Gov. Newsom signed two new laws to curb the rise in stolen converters that will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023. The new laws regulate who can sell and purchase the converters, require a traceable payment method for converter transactions, and include fines and penalties for anyone convicted of knowingly violating the new regulations.

To avoid theft, Allstate Insurance recommends:

• Etch a license plate number of VIN onto your converter.
• Park in well-lit or secured areas.
• Install an anti-theft device.
• Install motion-sensitive light and cameras.
• Make sure your auto insurance includes catalytic converter coverage.