Media Contact:  Sgt. Hauptmann
Office: 818-937-8888
Cell: 818-299-1565
Email: GPDPIO@Glendaleca.gov

Four Arrested for Catalytic Converter Theft

On January 22, 2021 at approximately 2:00 a.m., officers responded to the 3100 block of Kirkham Dr regarding males tampering with a parked vehicle using a loud tool.  While officers were responding to the location, the males entered their vehicle and left the location.   

Upon arrival, an officer located the victim’s vehicle and confirmed that its catalytic converter had been removed.  Another responding officer located a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle driving in the immediate area.  A traffic stop was initiated and officers contacted the driver, 36-year-old Eric Chavez of Los Angeles, along with three passengers, 27-year-old Manuel Rodriguez, 31-year-old Saul Tamayo and 25-year-old Eduardo Barrios all from Los Angeles.

While contacting the males, officers observed a hydraulic car jack, two cordless reciprocating saws and a cut-off catalytic converter inside of the vehicle.  A search of the vehicle produced two cut-off catalytic converters, a methamphetamine pipe, cocaine, wire cutters and other tools.

All four males were arrested and booked for grand theft.  Chavez, Tamayo, and Barrios were also arrested for possessing illegal drugs and illegal drug paraphernalia.  If you hear the loud cutting of metal coming from near a vehicle and suspect that a catalytic converter theft could be in progress; please call the Glendale Police Department at 818-548-4911 and officers will quickly be dispatched to the area to investigate.