Three men arrested in catalytic converter theft

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA — Three Stockton men were arrested Sept. 19 after attempting to steal a catalytic converter. Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. R. L. Davis said that deputies and Rancho Cordova Police Department officers responded to a call about a catalytic converter theft.

“According to the caller, he had just witnessed three men steal the catalytic converter from a friend’s vehicle,” Davis said. The witness had followed the alleged thieves from Bear Hollow Drive to an area near Mechanical Drive and Sunset Boulevard.

Davis said that when the men abandoned their vehicle, the witness called 911.

Along with the California Highway Patrol, deputies and Rancho Cordova police officers setup a perimeter, Davis stated. “A deputy and his K9 partner arrived, searching the area within the perimeter. The trio was quickly located,” he said.

According to a Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department press release, the suspects had been identified as 28-year-old Mono Thap, 25-year-old Adam Rodriguez and 28-year-old Benjamin Rodriguez. All three, the release said, were from Stockton. All three suspects were booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail, charged with grand theft and conspiracy.

Davis said that, as of Sept. 25, all three were still in custody.

Detectives believed the three suspects were responsible for several catalytic converter thefts in the area,the press release stated.