Fremont Police Detectives have worked tirelessly over the last year investigating Arrow Recovery located in the 46000 block of Warm Springs Blvd. Through their investigative efforts, FPD Detectives identified Arrow Recovery as a business that was accepting stolen catalytic converters that were later recovered. Accordingly, detectives began an operation where an undercover officer sold cut catalytic converters to Arrow Recovery marked or etched with "stolen" or other markings suggesting they had been illegally obtained. During the several-month operation, Arrow Recovery repeatedly purchased stolen catalytic converters from undercover detectives.
In conjunction with Fremont Fire Department, Silicon Valley Regional Computer Forensics Lab, and the State Toxic and Hazardous Waste Department, FPD Detectives served a search warrant in June 2022 at Arrow Recovery. As a result, detectives located multiple 55-gallon drums of refined and semi-refined catalytic converter material, along with approximately eight pallets containing at least 300 suspected stolen catalytic converters. Fremont Detectives will continue to work collaboratively with the agencies and the Alameda County District Attorney's office, to prosecute Arrow Recovery for receiving stolen property. In addition, permitting and environmental impact penalties will be evaluated and levied where appropriate.
The goal of this long-term operation was to shut down a major pathway for criminals to sell stolen catalytic converters, thereby reducing the desire of thieves to victimize community members and businesses. Detectives collected and inventoried a large amount of evidence requiring multiple tow trucks and trips. Detectives will be looking for any identifying markings or engravings on the collected items and will reach out to people who may have been a victim of a catalytic converter theft. However, due to the condition of the recovered items, it is generally not possible to confirm the origin of many of the recovered items.
The City of Fremont has seen a drop in stolen catalytic converter thefts over the last few months which corresponds with this investigation. This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and additional details may become available as the investigation unfolds.
Media Contact:
Fremont Police Media Relations Desk
[email protected]
(510) 790-6802
###
