Catalytic Converter Theft Thwarted By San Mateo Police Officer

SAN MATEO, CA — A San Mateo police officer was credited with stopping an apparent catalytic converter theft on Monday.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of attempted grand theft after the officer saw them in a parking lot at the Hillsdale Shopping Center. The suspects’ vehicle had an open hood and the suspects were seen removing the vehicle jack from a nearby Toyota Prius, according to the San Mateo Police Department.

One of the suspects, a 34-year-old San Mateo resident named Michael Violette, was also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle after a records check indicated that the Prius was stolen, according to police.

The owner of the Prius told police that the exhaust line was cut as the suspects attempted to steal the car’s catalytic converter.

The other two suspects were Vincent Esquivel Jr., a 40-year-old San Francisco resident, and Vianey Haro, a 41-year-old Richmond resident.