Catalytic Converter Thieves Caught in the Act

Burbank, California – Three men have been arrested following a series of catalytic converter thefts in Burbank. 

On October 5, 2022, at about 3:15 p.m., the Burbank Police Department received a report of a catalytic converter theft in progress in the 3000 block of North Kenwood Street.

When officers arrived, they spoke with a witness, who said he was standing outside of his business and heard what he believed to be a saw cutting metal.  Simultaneously, he observed a male suspect underneath his co-worker’s vehicle, which led him to believe the suspect was in the process of stealing the catalytic converter. The witness took a photograph of the suspect’s vehicle license plate as the suspect fled the location. Officers confirmed the catalytic converter had been stolen.

On October 7, 2022, at about 10:50 a.m., the Burbank Police Department responded to the 3000 block of Floyd Street, where two vehicles had their catalytic converters stolen on the previous day, both of which were captured on surveillance video.  

Based on surveillance video and evidence, investigators believed the three thefts were all committed by the same suspect(s).  

On October 11, 2022, Burbank Police Detectives located the suspect’s vehicle, occupied by three males, and followed the trio to Signal Hill.  At about 1:25 p.m., investigators observed the driver of the suspect vehicle enter a parking lot, where the males were seen using a floor jack to raise up a parked Honda sedan. The suspects then began the process of stealing the catalytic converter.  All three suspects were apprehended while in the act of the theft. 

During a search of the suspect’s vehicle, detectives located a floor jack, reciprocating saw, and evidence further indicating the males were involved in the crime of stealing catalytic converters. 

The suspects have been identified as 26-year-old Jesus Garciaramos, a resident of Sun Valley, 40-year-old Herbert Terceroescobar, a resident of Los Angeles, and 29-year-old Victor Trujillo, a resident of Los Angeles.  All three were arrested and booked for conspiracy to commit grand theft, a felony, and are each being held in lieu of a $20,000 bond.  They are due to appear in court on October 13, 2022.

Formal charges are pending review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. 

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS STATEMENT SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO:
SERGEANT BRENT FEKETY | 818-238-3240 | [email protected]