Six men allegedly part of a catalytic converter theft ring that targeted San Francisco Bay Area cars have been arrested.
During the arrest, law enforcement officers found 240 stolen catalytic converters and $260,000 in cash.
The Alameda County Regional Auto Theft Taskforce said the bust resulted from a long-term investigation since mid-2022 to identify the people behind a “prolific catalytic converter fencing operation and crew responsible for thefts throughout the Bay Area.”
ACRATT investigators determined two locations in Oakland that were reselling, also known as “fencing,” stolen catalytic converters.
The six arrested Oakland men were identified as Jorge Perez Garcia, 39, Nelson Alvarado Herrera, 41, Oscar Alvarado Herrera, 38, Luis Monterroso-Veliz, 31, Pedro Maravilla, 44, and Santos Contreras, 42.
Last week, “ACRATT, with the assistance of the Alameda County Narcotics Taskforce, and the Oakland Police Department simultaneously executed search warrants at both locations. A search of both locations located approximately 240 stolen catalytic converters, one stolen vehicle, stolen property, three firearms … and approximately $260,000 in cash,” the California Highway Patrol wrote.
The six suspects were booked into Santa Rita Jail for possession of stolen property, criminal conspiracy, and tampering with a vehicle.
