Crime Watch: Multiple Catalytic Converter Thefts, More

Multiple Catalytic Converter Thefts

Roseville Police report a rash of catalytic converter thefts, all from Toyota Pickups or Toyota SUVs. Thefts occurred:
Wednesday, Oct. 5

• Orchid Court, overnight on October 5/6

Wednesday, Oct. 12

• 2300 block North Cirby and 1900 block South Cirby, both overnight on Oct. 12/13.

Thursday, Oct. 13

• 2200 block McLaren, 6:22 a.m. on Oct. 13.  A citizen saw someone under the victim vehicle who then drove away with another person in a white Acura Integra with no hubcaps.  The suspects were described as Hispanic or Asian males in their 20s, wearing dark clothing.
• 1300 block Champion Oaks, reported on Oct. 13.

Saturday, Oct. 15

• 1200 block Harvard Court, overnight on Oct. 15/16.
• Between noon and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct.15, a thief stole a catalytic converter from a Toyota pickup parked at Diamond Oaks golf course.

Catalytic converters are part of a vehicle's emission control system and are mounted under the chassis along with the exhaust system.  Thieves unbolt or cut them off vehicles, and sell them to metal recyclers, who mine them for small amounts of precious metals.  Thieves prefer 1990s-model Toyota trucks and SUVs. If you own such a vehicle, park it in your locked garage if possible. If not, talk to your mechanic about ways to better secure the device to your vehicle.

Stolen Vehicle, Arrest

At about 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Oct. 15, a resident of the 900 block of Circuit Drive had his Acura sedan parked in front of his house, unlocked with the engine running.  He was standing near his car when an older white Lincoln sedan cruised by and the female passenger got out, got into his Acura and drove away. He reported the stolen vehicle to police. Around noon, another officer spotted a white Lincoln similar to the suspects' vehicle being driven on Atlantic Street. He checked the nearby neighborhood and eventually found both the suspect Lincoln sedan and the stolen Acura sedan.

A 26-year-old woman from Sacramento and a 25-year-old woman from Folsom were arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and related charges. The stolen Acura was returned to its rightful owner.

Man Catches Suspect in His Car

A man caught an unknown person sitting in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, rummaging through the center console around 8 a.m. Oct. 13 in an apartment complex parking lot in the 1200 block of Antelope Creek Drive. The suspect fled on foot into the open space area.  He was described as a white male in his 40s, 6'0" with a medium build.  He was dirty and unshaven, wearing a gray baseball cap, blue or gray windbreaker, and blue jeans or sweatpants.  He took a phone charger, checkbook and some small change.

Suspicious Person Reported

At 9:50 p.m. Oct. 16, a resident of the 1300 block of Buttercup reported an unknown male standing in his driveway, requesting assistance.  Officers responded and contacted the suspicious person, a 32-year-old Roseville man.  He was arrested on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. 

Residential Burglaries Roundup:

Saturday, Oct. 15

At 3:15 a.m. Saturday morning, Oct. 15, someone kicked the front door of a home in the 1500 block of Crestmont Avenue.  The resident looked outside and saw two males wearing black hoodies and pants running southbound on Crestmont Avenue.  Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspects.

Sometime between Oct. 15 and 16, someone burglarized a home in the 500 block of Dante Circle (entry made through a sliding glass door), and also took a silver 2008 Lexus SUV.

Commercial Burglaries Roundup:

Friday, Oct. 14

At about 2 a.m. Friday morning, Oct. 14, someone broke the front glass door to a wireless phone business in the 1900 block of Douglas Boulevard, and stole merchandise. 

Sunday, Oct. 16

At about 11:20 p.m. on Sunday night, Oct. 16, someone smashed the front door of a sporting goods store in the 1800 block of Douglas Boulevard and took money.

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