By Mary O’KEEFE

Glendale police have arrested suspects that may be responsible for several catalytic converters stolen from Crescenta Valley vehicles.

On July 27, a Glendale officer made a routine traffic stop at La Crescenta and Manhattan avenues. The driver, Jose Gonzalez, 18, of Pacoima had a California identification card but not a driver’s license. He also was unable to supply a vehicle registration.

There were three other men in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Guillermo Olivera, 35, of Los Angeles, a 17-year-old Van Nuys boy and a 17-year-old San Fernando boy.

During the investigation the officer allegedly found a tool bag with a piece of metal pipe exposed. One of the suspects appeared to be attempting to hide the bag and its contents.

There had been several catalytic converter burglaries in the area. The pipe appeared to be a part from a converter. After further investigation a catalytic converter was found in the tool bag, which had apparently been “freshly sawed off,” the police report stated.

Several saws and a small flashlight were also allegedly found in the bag. There was a global positioning system also found, along with another large bag in the trunk that contained metal shavings.

The suspects all had various inconsistent explanations regarding the bags, catalytic converter and why they were in the area, stated in the report.

All suspects were arrested for grand theft and being in possession of stolen property.

Glendale police are working with Los Angeles County Sheriffs from the Crescenta Valley Station to determine if the suspects were responsible for the recent catalytic converter thefts in the area.

  Mary Okeefe