Catalytic Converter Theft Suspects Arrested in South Monterey County

On Sunday, January 23 at about 2:00 A.M., Greenfield Police Officers responded to the 400 block of 9th Street in Greenfield for a report of a stolen catalytic converter. An alert citizen provided officers with a description of two suspects who were seen getting into a “getaway” vehicle, and leaving the area. Officers located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop detaining 35-year-old Xue Houa Moua Vang and 35-year-old Charlie Yee Leng Yang both of Fresno. Upon hearing the license plate number of the vehicle broadcast, Soledad Police Officers were advised that the vehicle was involved in a catalytic converter theft in Soledad. A search of the vehicle was conducted and officers located a police radar detector, power tools, a jack, shaved keys, catalytic converters, as well as other items of evidence. Yang and Vang were booked into the Monterey County Jail. Later in the shift, two additional reports of stolen catalytic converters were taken. This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Lerma at 831-601-8376. To date, officers have responded to 53 stolen catalytic converters thefts.