If you haven’t heard, catalytic converters are a hot item on the black market these days. The converters contain palladium, rhodium, and platinum- all of which have seen huge increases in their commodity rates. It’s especially easy to steal these from Toyota SUV’sas the vehicle is high enough to render a jack unnecessary and the converters are conveniently located. Without the  emission reducing converter, your car would release far more pollutants and would make a distinct, loud rumbling noise.

One area man was very lucky his friend was watching out, or he would be missing his catalytic converter today. The police received a phone call that a man had seen three men steal the catalytic converter from his friend’s vehicle on Bear Hollow Drive. The man then proceeded to follow the suspects vehicle to an area near Mechanical Drive and Sunrise Blvd, where all three men got out of the car and walk away. Police and CHP officers arrived and formed a perimerter around the area then sent in a K-9 unit. The dogs located the three suspects who were eventually booked in the Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of grand theft and conspiracy.

The suspects have been identified as Mono Thap, 28, Adam Rodriguez, 25, and Benjamin Rodriguez, 28. All are from Stockton.