Marin Catalytic Converter Thefts Probed

NOVATO, CA — A traffic stop early Tuesday morning led to the citing of two suspects in connection with catalytic converter thefts, Novato police said.

Officers patrolling the San Carlos neighborhood at around 4:15 a.m. patrolling pulled over a vehicle on Felize Drive with expired tags according to police.

The officers determined two vehicle occupants were on probation and obtained a search warrant, police said.

The search revealed two catalytic converters, two Milwaukee brand Sawzall tools with multiple blade attachments and batteries and additional burglary tools and drug paraphernalia, police said.

The driver, 36-year-old Jeffery Grant of Bethel Island, California was on active probation with Contra Costa County and was not the registered owner of the vehicle, police said.

Ronnie Bankston, 46 of Suisun City, a passenger who was also on a supervised release out of Solano County according to police.

Both suspects were cited for unspecified offenses and their vehicle was towed to a nearby tow yard, police said.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office helped local authorities locate the two victims and confirmed the stolen property belonged to them, police said.

This case has been forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney’s Office and is currently under review according to police.

“The Bay Area, including Novato, has seen a rise in the theft of catalytic converters from vehicle exhaust systems and advises residents to keep an eye on your vehicles that are not parked in a garage overnight, the Novato Police Department said in a statement.

“Cars that are often the most targeted are hybrid vehicles, like a Toyota Prius, as these vehicles have two power sources, and the catalytic converter is used less frequently. The height of these vehicles also makes access to the exhaust system, underneath the vehicle, easier. Thieves look for easy targets when it comes to catalytic converter theft as they are looking for a quick removal.”