Petaluma Police Department
For Immediate Release
December 20, 2021
Issued by: Jennifer Pritchard Community Engagement Liaison
707-778-4458,[email protected]
Incident: Catalytic Converter Thief Arrested
Report Number: 21-4999
Occurred Date : December 11, 2021
Occurred Time: 4:23 a.m.
Location: 200 block of Galland Street, Petaluma
Suspects: Idalia Hernandez Arvizu, age 23 (Santa Rafael resident)
Charges: Vehicle Tampering (felony), Possession of Burglary Tools (misdemeanor)
Keeping the community informed about our catalytic converter arrest progress is extremely important. It illustrates our dedication to reducing this specific type of crime in our area, assures the community that we care about protecting their property, and it lets criminals who see Petaluma as a location in which to commit catalytic converter theft know, that we will hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
On occasion we do not release case details immediately, only because that information might jeopardize other aspects of cases we are working on. However, whenever possible, we will report our police activity to the community to educated them on how we are serving the public safety needs of our city. We also want the community to know that we recognize their important role in protecting our community.
This past year our agency has increased its arrests of catalytic converter thieves. To date 18 individuals have been arrested for this activity, and because of community members reporting what they see, we expect many more arrests to occur. Just recently we had another arrest because a concerned community member called our dispatch center as soon as suspicious activity was witnessed.
We are pleased to announce that on 12/11/2021, at approximately 4:23 a.m., Petaluma police officers were dispatched to the area of Galland Street to investigate the report of an attempted theft of a catalytic converter. The reporting party described two subjects (male and female) who he apparently startled during the attempted theft, including the male who was observed under his vehicle. He observed the suspects enter a dark green VW wagon and flee the area. A reciprocating saw blade was located stuck in his exhaust pipe.
All officers on duty responded to the area to search for the suspect vehicle. A short time later an officer observed a dark green VW wagon driving in an adjacent neighborhood. The vehicle was stopped and Arvizu was identified as the driver and sole occupant. Arvizu matched the description of the female provided by the reporting party. In addition, officers observed a reciprocating saw and floor jack in vehicle, both of which are commonly used to commit these types of theft. During a search of the vehicle officers located additional tools and a piece of a vehicle exhaust which had been cut. The male suspect was not located.
A record check revealed Arviu had three warrants out for her arrest issued out of Marin County. She was later booked at the Sonoma County Jail for the above listed charges and her warrants.
Catalytic converter thefts continue to plague our community. Most of these thefts in Petaluma have occurred during the early morning hours, between midnight and 5:00 a.m. while it is still dark. If you see or hear what you believe is a theft in progress, please call 9-1-1. Thank you for joining us in this campaign to eliminate catalytic converter thefts in our area. Your report makes a difference!
