Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested two catalytic convertor thieves in the act early Thursday morning.
According the department, deputies spotted a suspicious vehicle at 3:30 a.m. in a De Anza Blvd. strip mall parking lot. While surveying the scene, the deputies saw two suspects cutting a convertor out of a commercial van.
Deputies arrested 33-year-old Usvaldo Frias and 41-year-old Domingo Espinoza at the scene.
The department said it found saws, a car jack, and drug paraphernalia in the suspect’s vehicle as well.
The arrest comes as the West Valley has seen an uptick in catalytic convertor thefts, particularly among hybrid vehicles. Tips for preventing theft include parking in a garage or well-lit and visible area, or installing aftermarket anti-theft devices.