Catalytic converter thief nabbed in Porterville

“On August 30, 2021 at approximately 0509 hours, Porterville Police Officers responded to the 300 block of South Wallace Street regarding a suspicious subject and vehicle in the area.

As Officers arrived in the area, the vehicle was found unoccupied, with the suspicious subject having fled on foot from the vehicle as Officers arrived.

Further investigation led to the discovery of an attempted theft of a catalytic converter from a victim’s vehicle, which was parked in the area. The investigation also revealed the identity of the suspect who fled, who was identified as 38 year-old Jose Mendoza. Tools used for the theft, as well as an additional stolen catalytic converter taken from another victim’s vehicle, was located in the vehicle from which Jose Mendoza fled.

Jose Mendoza was later located and taken into custody without further incident. Jose Mendoza was later booked at the Tulare County Jail on charges of grand theft, attempted grand theft, possession of stolen property, and possession of burglary tools. He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.”