Irvine Police Make Arrest Using New Catalytic Converter Law

Irvine Police Make Arrest Using New Catalytic Converter Law
Police officers secure a crime scene in Irvine, Calif., on May 5, 2021. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times
Drew Van Voorhis
Updated:
IRVINE, Calif.—The Irvine Police Department arrested an individual with a cut catalytic converter using a newly passed city ordinance that requires those in possession of detached converters to show documentation for ownership, police announced Feb. 17.

An Irvine Police officer pulled over a black Toyota Camry near the cross streets of Main and Cartwright for equipment violations on Feb. 12, according to the department.

The female passenger admitted to having meth in her possession, Sgt. Karie Davies, a spokeswoman for the department, told The Epoch Times. After a search of the vehicle, a cut catalytic converter was found in the vehicle’s trunk, along with cutting tools.

(Courtesy of the city of Irvine)
Courtesy of the city of Irvine

Juan Gallardo-Noyola, of Orange, was arrested and taken to the Orange County Jail, police said.

Converters, which are a part of a vehicle’s exhaust system, convert fumes into cleaner emissions and improve the car’s overall efficiency. They contain varying amounts of precious metals inside, some worth more than gold, which makes them targets for thieves.

Prior to the city-wide ordinance, police could not arrest suspected thieves with cut catalytic converters, as it is difficult to trace stolen converters back to the victim since converters do not have vehicle identification numbers on them.

As a result, the Irvine City Council adopted a new municipal code in November 2021 that requires any catalytic converter not attached to a vehicle to also have documentation, or proof that a person is in lawful possession of it.

This was the first time the department utilized the new code to make an arrest, Davies said.

Drew Van Voorhis
Drew Van Voorhis
Author
Drew Van Voorhis is a California-based daily news reporter for The Epoch Times. He has been a journalist for six years, during which time he has broken several viral national news stories and has been interviewed for his work on both radio and internet shows.
twitter
facebook
Related Topics