Deputies from Los Angeles and Orange counties seized thousands of stolen catalytic converters and arrested five people in a joint bust on Thursday.
Following a three-month investigation, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said the multi-agency team, including the LA County Sheriff’s Department, raided several locations tied to an alleged catalytic converter theft ring.
Investigators served warrants at multiple locations in both counties and recovered roughly 2,400 stolen catalytic converters worth about $4.3 million. Deputies also found shipping boxes filled with precious metals, two unregistered firearms and more than $105,000 in cash.
Authorities arrested five people in LA County allegedly tied to the ring:
- Maywood resident Jorge Alberto Delgadillo, 35
- LA resident Julio Moreno Reyes, 40
- LA resident Gilberto Valdovino, 27
- LA resident Brayan Cruz De Leon, 20
- Compton resident Hugo Saenz Marin, 24
They were all booked for grand theft and conspiracy to commit a crime.