SMPD Arrests 3 Illegal Immigrants for Catalytic Converter Theft in LA Area

3/22: The Santa Monica Police have announced that they have arrested three suspected Catalytic Converter theives in Santa Monica. The men, LA Residents, were charged with crimes ranging from possession of burglary tools to motor vehicle theft near 10th and Arizona. The press release, from SMPD Lt. Rudy Flores, Public Information Officer, follows:

SMPD officers observed a male suspect standing in a carport peering into the rear window of a parked Honda Civic. Upon further investigation, officers discovered the Honda Civic was a stolen vehicle and there was a second suspect inside. The two suspects were found in be in possession of multiple vehicle keys, a 12-inch crowbar and a lockpicking kit.

Simultaneously, the driver of a white Pontiac with temporary Texas plates seen parked just feet from the incident was found to be working in concert with the other two individuals. Upon searching the vehicle, officers located burglary tools including a Sawzall typically used in catalytic converter theft and a stolen Amazon package.

Suspect #1: Antonia Arteaga, 33 years old, from Los Angeles was charged with 496(A)PC – Receiving stolen property; 466 PC – Possession of burglary tools; and 11364(A)HS – Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Suspect #2: Bernabe Escobedo-Miranda, 30 years old, from Los Angeles was charged with 182(A)(1)PC – Conspiring to commit a crime; 496(A)PC – Receiving stolen property; and 466 PC – Possession of burglary tools.

Suspect #3: Daniel Galvan, 32 years old, from Los Angeles, was charged with 10851(A)VC – Taking a vehicle without consent; 466 PC – Possession of burglary tools; and 182(A)(1)PC - Conspiring to commit a crime.

Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is strongly encouraged to contact the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.