FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
| TYPE OF CRIME: Burglary |
CASE NUMBER: Multiple Cases |
| LOCATION: Bay Area and Sacramento | |
| VICTIM: Multiple |
|
| ADDRESS: San José, CA | |
| # | SUSPECT | ADDRESS | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.) | William Collier | San José Resident | 54 Years |
| 2.) | Noe Antonio De La O Ramirez | San José Resident | 39 Years |
| 3.) | Robert Frank | San José Resident | 52 Years |
| 4.) | David Leaf | San José Resident | 29 Years |
| 5.) | Robert Lee | San José Resident | 29 Years |
| 6.) | Jorge Omar Flores-Meza | San José Resident | 25 Years |
| 7.) | Noah Muchera | San José Resident | 58 Years |
| 8.) | Waiyaki Muchera | San José Resident | 22 Years |
| 9.) | Casandra Ochoa | San José Resident | 37 Years |
| 10.) | Mario Zarate Sanchez | San José Resident | 49 Years |
| 11.) | Godofredo Lopez Serrano | San José Resident | 47 Years |
| 12.) | Jeffrey Smith | San José Resident | 36 Years |
| 13.) | Alton Walker | San José Resident | 49 Years |
| 14.) | Lacey Westgate | San José Resident | 36 Years |
SUSPECTS:
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| #1 William Collier | #2 Noe De La O Ramirez | #3 Robert Frank | #4 David Leaf | |
| ARRESTED | ARRESTED | ARRESTED | IN-CUSTODY | |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| #5 Robert Lee | #6 Jorge Flores-Meza | #7 Noah Muchera | #8 Waiyaki Muchera | #9 Casandra Ochoa |
| ARRESTED | ARRESTED | ARRESTED | ARRESTED | ARRESTED |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| #10 Mario Sanchez | #11 Godofredo Lopez Serrano | #12 Jeffrey Smith | #13 Alton Walker | #14 Lacey Westgate |
| ARRESTED | ARRESTED | ARRESTED | ARRESTED | IN-CUSTODY |
San Jose, CA - On November 16th, 2021, the San José Police Department concluded Operation Cat Scratch Thiever, a six-month long investigation into catalytic converter thefts in the City of San José. The investigation was the result of a marked increase in catalytic converter thefts in 2020 and 2021. The operation targeted prolific catalytic converter thieves and the illegal underground market that has fueled the crime trend. Fifteen suspects were identified and all have been arrested. Multiple search warrants were served over a period of several weeks and detectives recovered illegal weapons, over $50,000 in cash, and over one thousand catalytic converters that are believed to have been stolen from vehicles throughout the Bay Area. In addition, police shut down three San José businesses that were suspected of knowingly purchasing stolen catalytic converters from street criminals.
Background:
A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device that reduces a vehicle’s release of toxic gases and pollutants. The device is typically installed midstream between a vehicle’s engine and exhaust pipe and is generally located on the underside of the vehicle. Catalytic converters contain precious metals that can be extracted and sold and are therefore targeted by thieves. A typical theft involves lifting a parked car with a jack and cutting out the converter with a cordless saw. The theft takes minutes but causes thousands of dollars' worth of damage to victim vehicles. Stolen catalytic converters are often sold on the black market to illegal fencing operations for hundreds of dollars.
Since the start of the pandemic, the City of San José has experienced an increase in catalytic converter thefts. Many of these thefts have become increasingly brazen and suspects are often armed with guns. Suspects have shot victims and witnesses who have interrupted the thefts and in San José a catalytic converter theft has been linked to at least one homicide.
Operation:
The operation began approximately six months ago and involved three focus areas: Intelligence and Data, Education, and Enforcement.
Detectives collaborated with outside agencies and the SJPD Crime Analysis Unit to develop intelligence and analyze crime data in order to identify prolific thieves and illegal purchasers of the stolen property.
Detectives provided training to patrol officers and to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office regarding catalytic converter theft methods and trends. This education aided in the identification of additional suspects and in the successful prosecution of arrested individuals.
The enforcement arm of the operation involved thousands of hours of surveillance and follow-up investigations. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office was an instrumental partner in this project and the objective was to charge suspects at all levels of the enterprise and to disrupt the crime trend. The operation culminated in multiple arrests and search warrants.
Results:
Operation Cat Scratch Thiever identified fifteen suspects. Multiple search warrants were served over a period of several weeks and considerable evidence was recovered, including:
- A variety of catalytic converter theft tools
- Large stashes of cash (totaling over $50,000)
- Evidence of identity theft
- Four handguns and an illegal assault rifle
- Armor-piercing ammunition
- Over 1000 catalytic converters (believed to be stolen from across the Bay Area)
Suspects have been charged with crimes ranging from grand theft to receiving stolen property and from assault with a deadly weapon to possession of illegal weapons. Detectives also shut down three businesses that appeared to cater to thieves, often purchasing cut catalytic converters with no questions asked. Those businesses are being referred to the San José City Attorney’s Office.
Acknowledgements:
This operation would not have been a success without the collaboration of many units within the San José Police Department, including Patrol, the Financial Crimes Unit, the Street Crimes Unit, the Covert Response Unit, the Crime Analysis Unit, and the Burglary Prevention Unit. SJPD would also like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance provided by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Automotive Repair, and Copart Inc.
| BY: Sergeant Christian Camarillo #3561 | AUTHORIZED BY: Captain Tibaldi #3798 |
| DATE: 12/13/2021 TIME: 9:00 AM | DATE: 12/13/2021 TIME: 8:00 AM |