Two Arrested in Connection to Catalytic Converter Thefts in Solano County
Fairfield Police have announced the arrests of two individuals suspected in connection to a series of catalytic converter thefts in the area.
The two were arrested after a foot pursuit, during which one was captured quickly and the other after an extensive search by officers from multiple agencies.
According to a police press release issued earlier this month, a Fairfield PD officer attempted to stop a vehicle, believed to be associated with the recent thefts, in the area of Waterman Boulevard and Mecca Court on the morning of Thursday, April 6.
The occupants of the vehicle — later identified as 32-year-old Francisco Pinodelgado and 34-year-old Edgar Gonzalezcastro — reportedly tried to flee on foot down Mecca Court. While Gonzalezcastro was apprehended immediately, Pinodelgado fled through a backyard on Mecca Court and then out near the canal, police said.
Additional officers from the Day 2 shift, the Homeless Intervention Team, School Resource Officers, and the Traffic division converged on the area to establish a perimeter. Two drones, two K-9 teams, and officers and an air unit from the CHP also responded.
Soon thereafter, Pinodelgado was found hiding in an outbuilding near a home on the 3100 block of Lomita Court, and was taken into police custody with the help of K-9 Officer Cort.
Pinodelgado was also found to have an active felony warrant. The vehicle they had been driving was also determined to have been reported stolen out of San Rafael, police said.
Both individuals were booked at the Solano County jail.
Catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise recently, and have become a major concern for local communities and law enforcement. Some local law enforcement agencies have begun hosting community events in which citizens can have their catalytic converters etched free of charge. When etched in such a manner, catalytic converters are much more difficult to sell on the black market.
