In an operation targeting catalytic converter thefts, plainclothes officers from the San Francisco Police Department successfully arrested a group of armed individuals on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. The operation took place in various neighborhoods on the western side of the city. At approximately 2:23 pm, officers from Ingleside Station responded to a catalytic converter theft report on the 1900 block of Alemany Boulevard. Witnesses reported a black 4-door sedan fleeing the scene, which was later determined to be a stolen vehicle.
Around 3:40 pm, officers spotted the suspect vehicle near Fulton and Pierce Streets. They closely followed the vehicle as it traveled across the city. Finally, a traffic stop was initiated near Edinburgh Street and Persia Avenue. However, the suspects fled on foot, abandoning the vehicle near Cambridge Street and Stoneyford Avenue. Swift action by the officers led to the apprehension of the four suspects on Alemany Boulevard, close to Interstate 280, after a brief pursuit.
During the subsequent investigation, law enforcement officers discovered three loaded firearms, five stolen catalytic converters, burglary tools, and other incriminating evidence linking the suspects to multiple catalytic converter thefts. The suspects, consisting of three 17-year-old males and one 15-year-old male, were all positively identified.
San Francisco Police officers meticulously matched each stolen catalytic converter to its respective vehicle owner and returned them to their rightful owners. Additionally, the officers individually identified the suspects' involvement in the crimes.
The first 17-year-old suspect, a resident of Fremont, was booked at the Juvenile Justice Center on several charges, including five counts of burglary (459 2nd PC), five counts of receiving stolen property (496d PC), five counts of conspiracy (182(a)(1) PC), unlawful taking or driving of a vehicle (10851(a) CVC), resisting arrest (148(a)(1) PC), minor in possession of a firearm (29610 PC), minor in possession of live ammunition (29650 PC), carrying a concealed firearm (25400(a)(2) PC), carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (25800 PC), and carrying a loaded firearm in public (25850(a) PC).
The second 17-year-old suspect, a San Francisco resident, faced charges including five counts of burglary (459 2nd PC), five counts of receiving stolen property (496d PC), five counts of conspiracy (182(a)(1) PC), minor in possession of a firearm (29610 PC), minor in possession of live ammunition (29650 PC), carrying a concealed firearm (25400(a)(2) PC), carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (25800 PC), carrying a loaded firearm in public (25850(a) PC), resisting arrest (148(a)(1) PC), and violating a condition of probation as a ward of the court (777 W&I).
The 15-year-old suspect, a resident of Brentwood, was booked at the Juvenile Justice Center on charges including five counts of burglary (459 2nd PC), five counts of conspiracy (182(a)(1) PC), minor in possession of a firearm (29610 PC), minor in possession of live ammunition (29650 PC), carrying a concealed firearm (25400(a)(2) PC), carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (25800 PC), carrying a loaded firearm in public (25850(a) PC), criminal possession of a firearm (25300 PC), and resisting arrest (148(a)(1) PC).
The third 17-year-old suspect, an Antioch resident, was cited and released on charges including five counts of burglary.
Comments / 2