Paso Robles Police arrest three people for catalytic converter theft early Friday morning

PASO ROBLES, Calif. – The Paso Robles Police Department early Friday morning arrested three Fresno residents suspected of stealing multiple catalytic converters from other vehicles, according to the police department.

Officers were conducting a traffic stop on the 1300 block of 24th Street in Paso Robles for an observed vehicle code violation, and as they were walking next to the car, they noticed five catalytic converters in the cargo area of the vehicle, according to the department.

During the investigation, officers noticed that one of the converters had a license plate number engraved on it, and it was confirmed that the converter had been stolen from the city of San Luis Obispo sometime overnight, the police department said.

"The engraved license plate number proved crucial to immediately confirm the converter was stolen," the department added.

The other four converters were booked as evidence, and all three suspects were booked into the County Jail on several charges.

This investigation remains ongoing, and the Paso Robles Police Department is requesting anyone with any information to call department at 805-237-6464.