Police Arrest Catalytic Converter Thieves

Three suspected catalytic converter thieves from Van Nuys were arrested this week on charges of conspiracy to commit grand theft, grand theft, and attempted grand theft — all felonies — and misdemeanor charges of possession of burglary tools and vehicle tampering. Herbert Hernandez, 30, Jesus Ortiz, 20, and Angel Aguilera, 29, were taken into custody after an off-duty CHP officer spotted them acting suspiciously near his home. The trio fled from responding officers but were soon captured in the 200 block of Lee Drive. Their bails are each set at $20,000.