Galt police arrest Sacramento men for catalytic converter theft after resident witnesses crime
A Galt resident witnessed a catalytic converter theft early Friday and quickly called police, which led officers to arrest two Sacramento men suspected of stealing the highly-valued auto part.
About 4:15 a.m., officers were called to the 1000 block of Lake Park Avenue for a reported catalytic converter theft in-progress. A catalytic converter is part of a vehicle’s exhaust system and contains metals, such as platinum, gold, rhodium and palladium, that have high value in the recycling market.
The officers arrived at the scene and spotted a suspect vehicle trying to exit the housing complex. The officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop, and two men were detained without incident, the Galt Police Department announced in a news release.
Police said the officers searched the vehicle and found inside a stolen catalytic converter, burglary tools used to steal the auto part, suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
The suspects, Samsand Tupou, 32, and Amphay Somchith, 49, were arrested and booked at the Sacramento County Jail.
Tupou and Somchith were arrested on suspicion of grand theft, tampering with a vehicle or removing auto parts, and possessing burglary tools, according to police.
Police said Tupou faces additional charges of drug possession, possessing drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license for a previous driving under the influence conviction.
The police department thanked the alert resident who reported the crime immediately. Without the resident’s “swift action,” the officers may not have been able to capture the suspects, police said.
This story was originally published February 4, 2022 at 5:37 PM.
