SMPD Arrests 4 For Catalytic Converter Theft

SANTA MONICA, CA — Four men are in custody in Santa Monica on charges of grand theft after police said they were caught stealing a catalytic converter from a 2010 Prius Friday morning.

At 2:10 a.m. officers received a call where a man said he saw several men removing the catalytic converter from his sister's car before they fled in two separate vehicles.

Santa Monica Police Department officers said they located the suspects' blue Honda Accord and green Dodge Charger within minutes on Oak Street.

"Both vehicles were stopped and the subjects detained without incident," SMPD said in a statement. "The reporting party was able to positively identify the Honda as having been involved in the commission of the theft."

The Honda was occupied by Izguerra Duarte, a 23-year-old from Long Beach, and Michael Pedraja, 19 from Los Angeles, as well as other items and weapons including:

• Four catalytic converters from Priuses
• A Daytona jack with the handle
• A Milwaukee reciprocating saw with a 6-inch blade and additional blads
• An electric impact driver
• Three jack stands
• A replica handgun

The Charger, which was the lead vehicle police said, was occupied by Jasenda Argueta, 21 of Gardena, and Victor Duarte Macias, 19 from Antioch. In that vehicle, officers said they found a Milwaukee power tool battery and the handle to a floor jack.

Police said a white, powdered substance — preliminarily identified as cocaine — was found in Argueta's wallet during a jail search.

The suspects were booked into the Santa Monica Jail on charges of grand theft and Argueta with an extra Health and Safet Code violation for drug possession, SMPD said.

Anyone who may have any additional information is urged to call Detective Jauregi at 310-458-8944. the Criminal Investigations Division at 310-458-8451 or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8426