Three catalytic converter theft suspects caught in the act in Fresno by passing CHP

Three catalytic converter theft suspects were caught in the act Friday morning when California Highway Patrol officers drove past the in-progress crime in central Fresno.

The incident took place at East Harvey and North Blackstone avenue about 7 a.m.

The officers reported they were en route to assist a nearby CalTrans operation when they noticed a white Lexus double-parked next to a van. A hydraulic jack had been placed under the van, lifting the vehicle to allow access to the exhaust system.

Although the thieves did not get away with the part, the van was damaged during the crime.

Fresno police Sgt. Diana Trueba Vega identified the three as Latausha Purvis, 41; Donald Dewayne Steinhaur, 38; and Jody Sisouvong, 39. The were going to be booked into jail on charges of grand theft and conspiracy to commit grand theft.

Catalytic converter thieves typically use a jack, along with a portable metal saw to cut off converters — a crime that can take just minutes.

The crime disables the victim’s vehicle. Replacing a converter, which contains rare metals including platinum, palladium, and rhodium, can cost hundreds of dollars.

A Clovis man on Friday told The Bee that when crooks took one of the devices off his 2004 Honda last week, he received an eye-popping estimate of $2,160 for a replacement part. That’s because there was no aftermarket part available, so he had to go to the dealer. And that price did not include labor.

According to the web site Beenverified, there have been more than 26,000 such thefts in the U.S. so far this year.

The case was turned over to Fresno police, and Sgt. Diana Trueba Vega said detectives would be involved in the investigation.

This story was originally published September 10, 2021 at 8:33 AM.