In two separate incidents this past week, personnel at both the California Highway Patrol Newhall Office and at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station reported arresting individuals on suspicion of catalytic converter theft.
The first reported arrest stemmed from a patrol operation being conducted by the SCV Sheriff’s Station Special Assignment Team on Wednesday, near the intersection of Sierra Highway and Newhall Avenue, according to Deputy Natalie Arriaga, a spokeswoman for the station.
“During a traffic stop, deputies learned the male driver did not have a valid driver’s license,” said Arriaga. “While searching the suspect, deputies recovered a replica firearm from his waistband, as well as methamphetamine. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of additional methamphetamine and two cut catalytic converters.”
The man, described as a 38-year-old from Panorama City, was arrested and booked into the SCV Sheriff’s Station on suspicion of receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance.
In a separate incident three days later, CHP officers reported that around 2:20 a.m. on Sunday, they were alerted to a suspicious vehicle on the northbound side of Highway 14, south of Soledad Canyon Road.
“The vehicle (was) parked on the right shoulder with nobody around,” said Officer Josh Greengard, a spokesman for CHP Newhall. “The officer arrived on scene and observed a hole was cut into a chain link fence from the freeway granting access to a secured storage yard, which bordered the SR-14 freeway.”
“Three suspects had cut a hole in the chain link fence,” Greengard continued. “Upon entering the chain link fence, officers located multiple catalytic converters freshly cut from vehicles.”
All three suspects were located and arrested on suspicion of multiple felony charges, ranging from vehicle burglary to conspiracy to commit crime.
