Photo: burglar’s tools
MILL VALLEY —Two men driving northbound on Highway 101 were pulled over and arrested for attempting to steal a catalytic converter. They also unsuccessfully attempted to flee after being spotted in the act.
A witness reported the crime in progress November 19 at approximately 5 a.m. The witness saw two men underneath a parked pickup truck on Bayview Avenue, near downtown. It looked like they were trying to remove part of the exhaust system.
Catalytic converters, components of exhaust systems, are frequently reported stolen in Mill Valley at night. Thieves sell rare metals contained inside catalytic converters to scrapyards.
Both men fled before police arrived. However, the witness provided a good description of their vehicle to Mill Valley police.
Several minutes later, a Marin County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted a vehicle matching that description. It was pulled over on Highway 101 in San Rafael, near Bellam Avenue.
The occupants were detained, and the investigation continued as Mill Valley officers arrived on the scene. Authorities located and recovered tools typically used for removing catalytic converters.
Estevan E. Gomez, 30 of Sebastopol, and Alexis I. DeLeon-Diaz, 29 of San Rafael, were subsequently arrested. Gomez and DeLeon-Diaz were each booked for –
Grand theft
Attempted Crime
Conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor
Possession of burglar’s tools.
In addition, DeLeon-Diaz was arrested for probation violation. DeLeon-Diaz has been arrested 12 times previously, for burglaries, thefts, and drug-related offenses.
His companion, Gomez has four prior arrests for battery, possession of drug paraphernalia, and other offenses.
