Community
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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Media Release: Catalytic Converter Theft Crew Arrested
| Nature of Incident: | Catalytic Converter Theft Crew Arrested |
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| Report Number: | 26-88487, 26-88087, 26-88104, 26-88176, 26-88193, 26-88261, 26-88646 |
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| Location: | Ventura County unincorporated community of Oak Park | ||||
| Date & Time: | July 2nd, 2026 / Early morning hours | ||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | East County Special Enforcement Unit, Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit, Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force, Sheriff’s Crime Analysis Unit |
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| (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
Age | |||
| (S) Ismael De Jesus Angel (S) Adrian Barajas Mejia |
South Gate Bell Gardens |
22 22 |
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| Narrative: |
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| Ventura County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested two Los Angeles County residents responsible for committing multiple catalytic converter thefts in Ventura County. During the early morning hours of July 2nd, 2026, seven thefts and attempted thefts of catalytic converters were reported from residents of Oak Park in the unincorporated community of Ventura County. Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies responded to these reports and determined five catalytic converters had been stolen from vehicles parked in the same general area over night. Based on the proximity and the time frame of the reported thefts, investigators believed the crimes were committed by the same suspects. Several other similar catalytic converter thefts that occurred several months prior in the city of Thousand Oaks, were believed to be linked to the same suspects. Detectives from the East County Special Enforcement Unit launched an investigation into the incident. Utilizing investigative techniques along with Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, detectives identified the vehicle used in the commission of the crimes along with two suspects, (S) Ismael De Jesus Angel and (S) Adiran Barajas Mejia. Through the course of the investigation, detectives learned Angel and Mejia were also being investigated by various law enforcement agencies around Southern California for similar crimes. In addition, both Angel and Mejia were on Los Angeles County Probation for theft related offenses. On September 4th, 2026, Detectives served a search warrant at Ismael De Jesus Angel’s residence, located in the City of South Gate. Detectives from the East County Special Enforcement Unit, Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit, and Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force executed the search warrant and successfully took Angel into custody for the felony crimes committed in the County of Ventura. During a search of his residence, detectives located further evidence of catalytic converter thefts. Additionally, detectives located an unlawfully possessed firearm. Angel was booked into the Ventura County Jail on charges of PC 487 – Grand Theft, and PC 182 – Criminal Conspiracy. On September 16th, 2026, Detectives from the East County Special Enforcement Unit and Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit located Adrian Barajas Mejia in the City of Bell Gardens. Mejia was successfully taken into custody for the felony crimes committed in the County of Ventura. Mejia was booked into the Ventura County Jail on charges of PC 487 – Grand Theft, and PC 182 – Criminal Conspiracy. The Thousand Oaks Police Department would like to remind citizens to be aware of your surroundings. Report suspicious people or vehicles unfamiliar to your area by promptly calling 911, or our non-emergency line (805) 654-9511. If you see something, say something. Join us to stay alerted by following us on Twitter @ThousandOaksPD, Facebook @Thousand Oaks Police Department, Instagram @ThousandOaksPD, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories. |
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| Prepared by: | Detective G. ONeil |
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| News Release Date: | September 17th, 2026 | ||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Detective G. Oneil (805) 797-6374 [email protected] |
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| Approved by: Booking Photo Release: |
Captain A. Ramirez YES NO X |
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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511