San Francisco Police Arrest Armed Catalytic Converter Thieves 23-062
SFPD officers arrested four juveniles armed with firearms and linked them to five catalytic converter thefts. Police officers then identified each stolen catalytic converter and returned them to their respective owners.
On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, San Francisco Police Department plainclothes officers were conducting a catalytic converter abatement operation in neighborhoods on the western side of the city. While conducting the operation, at approximately 2:23 pm, SFPD officers from Ingleside Station were dispatched to the 1900 block of Alemany Boulevard on a report of a catalytic converter theft. Officers learned that a black 4-door sedan was possibly involved and seen fleeing the area. Officers broadcast the suspect vehicle description over their department radios. The vehicle was later determined to have been reported stolen.
At approximately 3:40 pm, officers spotted the suspect vehicle in the area of Fulton and Pierce Streets. Officers followed the vehicle throughout the city. Officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle in the area of Edinburgh Street and Persia Avenue. The suspects fled and the vehicle was located in the area of Cambridge Street and Stoneyford Avenue. Officers located the suspects soon thereafter on Alemany Boulevard near Interstate 280. Following a brief foot pursuit, four suspects were taken into custody.
During the subsequent investigation, officers located three loaded firearms, five catalytic converters, burglary tools, and several other items of evidence linking the suspects to catalytic converter thefts. The suspects, three 17-year-old males, and one 15-year-old male, were all positively identified.
San Francisco Police officers individually identified each stolen catalytic converter and matched them to the vehicle from which they were reported stolen. Officers then returned the stolen catalytic converters to the respective owners/victims.
The first 17-year-old, a Fremont resident, was booked at the Juvenile Justice Center on the following charges: burglary (459 2nd PC x 5), receiving stolen property (496d PC x 5), conspiracy (182(a)(1) PC x 5), unlawful taking or driving of a vehicle (10851(a) CVC), resisting arrest (148(a)(1) PC), minor in possession of a firearm (29610 PC), minor in possession of live ammunition (29650 PC), carrying a concealed firearm (25400(a)(2) PC), carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (25800 PC), and carrying a loaded firearm in public (25850(a) PC).
The second 17-year-old, a San Francisco resident, was booked at the Juvenile Justice Center on the following charges: burglary (459 2nd PC x 5), receiving stolen property (496d PC x 5), conspiracy (182(a)(1) PC x 5), minor in possession of a firearm (29610 PC), minor in possession of live ammunition (29650 PC), carrying a concealed firearm (25400(a)(2) PC), carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (25800 PC), carrying a loaded firearm in public (25850(a) PC), resisting arrest (148(a)(1) PC), and a ward of the court violating a condition of probation (777 W&I).
The 15-year-old, a Brentwood resident, was booked at the Juvenile Justice Center on the following charges: burglary (459 2nd PC x 5), conspiracy (182(a)(1) PC x 5), minor in possession of a firearm (29610 PC), minor in possession of live ammunition (29650 PC), carrying a concealed firearm (25400(a)(2) PC), carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (25800 PC), and carrying a loaded firearm in public (25850(a) PC), criminal possession of a firearm (25300 PC), and resisting arrest (148(a)(1) PC).
The third 17-year-old, an Antioch resident, was cited and released on the following charges: burglary (459 2nd PC x 5), receiving stolen property (496d PC x 5), conspiracy (182(a)(1) PC x 5), resisting arrest (148(a)(1) PC), and minor to be a ward of the court (602 W&I).
A photo of the recovered catalytic converters and firearms accompanies this news release.
While arrests have been made this is an open and active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the SFPD 24-hour Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.
SFPD Incident #230-359-413