On January 30, 2022, at approximately 4:00 AM, the Simi Valley Police Department received a call from a resident at the 300 block of Country Club Dr. The reporting party stated three suspects associated with a white Honda with no license plate were attempting to steal a catalytic converter from her vehicle. A short time later, an SVPD unit observed a white Honda with no license plate in the area of Royal Ave. and Madera Rd. As the SVPD unit negotiated a U-turn to investigate, the vehicle immediately turned into a residential neighborhood and all three occupants fled on foot. The suspect vehicle was abandoned in the 1300 block of Naples Ct. Officers later discovered several stolen catalytic converters and narcotics in the suspect vehicle.
A search of the neighborhood was conducted with the assistance of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Air Unit and the California Highway Patrol. After an extensive search of the area, the suspects were not located.
The victim described all three suspects as Hispanic male adults. One of the suspect’s was wearing a grey sweatshirt and the second suspect was wearing a black t-shirt and had short black hair, there was no further description for the third suspect.
Anyone with information reference this incident; please contact the Simi Valley Police Department at (805) 583-6950. The Simi Valley Police Department would like to remind the community of the following crime prevention tips against catalytic converter thefts:
- Report any suspicious subjects or any out of the ordinary sounds to the police.
- Park vehicles in the driveway with the rear doors closest to your residence.
- Leave exterior residential lights on throughout the night or install motion detecting lights. Additional lighting may make a thief more visible.
- If you park on the street, choose a well-lit area and trim back any trees and/or bushes that may block your view of the vehicle.
- Etch the vehicle’s license plate numbers onto the catalytic converter.
- Always remove keys, roll up windows, and lock the vehicle.
