Berkeley Cat Converter Suspect Tied To Separate Incidents: Cops

BERKELEY, CA — A Berkeley catalytic converter theft suspect was arrested Friday in connection with the same crime for the second time in a span of just over three weeks, police said.

The 39-year-old suspect was among two suspects arrested in connection with Friday’s incident and among three arrested in connection with a Feb. 26 case, police said.

Both incidents occurred in the early morning hours according to police.

On Friday, officers just after midnight responded a report of two people attempting to steal a catalytic converter from a vehicle parked near Shattuck and Ashby avenues, police said.

Officers heard a police scanner as they approached the suspect car and saw a floor jack and a reciprocating saw in plain view inside the vehicle, police said.

A subsequent search of the vehicle found tools commonly used to steal catalytic converters, including two reciprocating saws, vehicle jacks, a cordless drill, 10 reciprocating saw blades, and a battery and charger, police said.

The 39-year-old suspect, who has no given address, and a 44-year-old Oakland man were also found to be in possession of around one-half ounce of methamphetamine according to police.

Both suspects were arrested on suspicion of attempted grand theft and possession of methamphetamine for sale among other charges, police said.

Officers later obtained a search warrant for one suspect’s cell phone that revealed further evidence of theft and narcotic sales according to police.

In the Feb. 26 case, officers responded around 3:45 a.m.to a report of two people attempting to steal a catalytic converter from a Toyota Prius parked in a driveway on Creston Road, police said.

The victim interrupted the suspects, who jumped into an idling car driven by a third person and fled, leaving the victim vehicle up on jacks, police said.

Responding officers stopped a car driving away from the scene according to police.

Officers saw a reciprocating saw in plain view and also found jack handles in the car, police said.

The 39-year-old man along with a 36-year-old Richmond man and a 36-year-old man with no given address were arrested on suspicion of attempted grand theft, possession and conspiracy to commit a crime, police said.

“BPD is aware that theft of catalytic converters is an ongoing crime trend affecting Berkeley and many other communities across the country,” police said in a statement.

“We commend the diligent and professional efforts of our patrol officers that resulted in the above arrests.”