A few minutes later, deputies noticed a vehicle leaving the area and initiated a traffic enforcement stop for a vehicle code violation. When deputies contacted with the occupants, they noticed two catalytic converters in the backseat. During a search of the vehicle, reciprocating saws, a car jack, and other tools were located. Deputies arrested the occupants, 41-year-old Banny Lo and 27-year-old Gary Lee, both from Sacramento. They were booked into Santa Barbara County Main Jail for grand theft, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, and conspiracy. Lo was also booked for possession of a controlled substance. Due to these crimes generally being committed by suspects associated with organized theft rings and no connection to Santa Barbara County, a bail increase to $100,000 was granted.

Although these two suspects were taken into custody and two catalytic converters were recovered, deputies responded to two additional reports of theft of catalytic converters in Carpinteria. The first was in the 1000-block of Palmetto Way, and the second in the 1300-block of Dahlia Court was an interrupted theft where the catalytic converter was partially cut.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to acknowledge the quick thinking of the victim who called 911 when they realized they were likely hearing a catalytic converter theft. The theft of catalytic converters is popular because they can be easily removed, they do not have identifying marks like serial numbers, and the components are made up of precious metals that can be resold to recyclers. There are steps that can be taken to thwart these thefts including; parking inside a garage or secured yard, installing motion detector lights near parking areas, installing a catalytic converter protection device, and educating neighbors to be on the look-out for thieves.