Crime & Safety
Sun City Resident Helps Nab Suspect
Observant neighbor puts a stop to catalytic converter theft.
A Sun City resident apparently didn't blink twice when she saw a man crawling under a neighbor's Toyota pickup at 2:30 a.m. last week, according to police.
"She kept an eye on the suspicious man and called 911," states a police-issued listing of Roseville crimes.
On April 17, Sacramento resident Lee Keane, 24, of Sacramento, was arrested while allegedly trying to steal a catalytic converter. The arrest was made thanks to a Pineschi Place resident who reported the suspicious activity, confirmed Dee Dee Gunther, Roseville police department's spokesperson.
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"We are really happy that this resident got up in the middle of the night for a drink of water or because she had an insomnia..." said Gunther. "She was a great witness."
The woman stayed on the phone with a dispatcher while officers responded and surrounded the area.
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When police arrived, Keane was reportedly seen sawing off the Tahoe's catalytic converter.
"He had a list of addresses with him," said Gunther. "Our investigators believe he may have been driving around earlier in the evening looking for potential targets. Thanks to our alert citizen, he couldn't do that."
Keane was arrested on suspicion of attempted grandt theft, possessing burglary tools, vandalism and vehicle tampering, Gunther said.
Overall, Gunther said she isn't aware of a catalytic converter crime spree in Roseville's Sun City.
"Sun City doesn't get hit that often because not many residents leave their cars out," Gunther said.
In were reported committed in Roseville.
Catalytic converter thefts are an ongoing national trend. Thieves steal the converters for their precious metals including platinum. Toyota model trucks and SUVs are known easier targets.
Local police officials recommend owners of Toyota Tundras, Sequoias or other Toyota pick-ups or SUVs have their converter's etched with their license plate number.
In Roseville, participating vendors include Roseville Toyota, Firestone Auto Care on Washington Boulevard and Napa Auto Care on Riverside Avenue.
For more information visit the police department's website.
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Article update April 24, 2013 at 3:30 p.m.
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