Stolen Catalytic Converters (A.P.) |
LOS ANGELES -- Two suspects are under arrest accused of stealing 60 or more "catalytic converters" from cars and trucks in the Los Angeles area over the last few months.
Officials say the suspects targeted high profile vehicles such as trucks and sport utility vehicles because of their easy access to the exhaust system where catalytic converters are located. It is believed that the suspects used cordless power tools to cut or unbolt the catalytic converter from the vehicles. Because of the easy access and cordless tools, each heist took only a matter of minutes, detectives said.
Catalytic converters are sold to metal scrap yards because they contain small amounts of valuable metal such as Platinum, Palladium, and Rhodium.
The LAX area seemed to be hit especially hard along with university campuses throughout Southern California, including USC and UCLA. Campus police and LAPD detectives worked together to identify a suspect vehicle description; a dark colored 1990's BMW 745.
On September 4, 2009, officers saw the suspects removing a catalytic converter from a parked car on the campus of USC. With coordinated efforts between campus police officers from UCLA, USC, several LAPD patrol divisions and an Air Support Division helicopter, 28-year-old Juan Calderon and 36-year-old Christopher Williams were arrested.
Calderon is being held with no bail and Williams is being held on $20,000.00 dollars bail.
Detectives are looking to identify other victims.
Anyone with information regarding these or similar crimes is asked to call Pacific-LAX, Detective Axel DeLeon, at 310-577-3473. During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Callers may also text "Crimes" with a cell phone or log onto www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with "LAPD". Tipsters may remain anonymous.
Officials say the suspects targeted high profile vehicles such as trucks and sport utility vehicles because of their easy access to the exhaust system where catalytic converters are located. It is believed that the suspects used cordless power tools to cut or unbolt the catalytic converter from the vehicles. Because of the easy access and cordless tools, each heist took only a matter of minutes, detectives said.
Catalytic converters are sold to metal scrap yards because they contain small amounts of valuable metal such as Platinum, Palladium, and Rhodium.
The LAX area seemed to be hit especially hard along with university campuses throughout Southern California, including USC and UCLA. Campus police and LAPD detectives worked together to identify a suspect vehicle description; a dark colored 1990's BMW 745.
On September 4, 2009, officers saw the suspects removing a catalytic converter from a parked car on the campus of USC. With coordinated efforts between campus police officers from UCLA, USC, several LAPD patrol divisions and an Air Support Division helicopter, 28-year-old Juan Calderon and 36-year-old Christopher Williams were arrested.
Calderon is being held with no bail and Williams is being held on $20,000.00 dollars bail.
Detectives are looking to identify other victims.
Anyone with information regarding these or similar crimes is asked to call Pacific-LAX, Detective Axel DeLeon, at 310-577-3473. During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Callers may also text "Crimes" with a cell phone or log onto www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with "LAPD". Tipsters may remain anonymous.
