Berkeley Catalytic Converter Theft Attempt Probed

BERKELEY, CA — An alert resident Sunday night helped officers foil an attempted catalytic converter theft, Berkeley police said.

The resident at around 9:45 p.m. spotted two suspects trying to steal a catalytic converter from a vehicle parked on the 2200 block of San Pablo Avenue, police said.

The suspects drove away when they realized they had been seen according to police.

Officers spotted their vehicle and detained the suspects, police said.

A search of the suspect vehicle revealed tools associated with catalytic converter theft such as saws, wrenches, drills and pry tools, police said.

Officers inspected the vehicle associated with the suspected heist and found the catalytic converter was partially cut-off, police said.

The suspects were identified as a 42-year-old Pinole man and a 38-year-old Martinez man, police said.

They were arrested on suspicion of attempted grand theft, possession of burglary tools and conspiracy according to police.