EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Two men were arrested in El Paso Thursday night after they were allegedly caught stealing a catalytic converter from a Ford F-250 truck parked in the middle of a street in the Lower Valley.
Around 11:29 p.m., El Paso Police officers discovered 37-year-old Humberto Sandoval and 34-year-old Eduardo Contreras in the act of cutting out the catalytic converter. The truck was parked on the 8300 block of Roseway, and officers initially spotted the pair while driving down Alameda Street. They noticed the truck was in the middle of the street, with its parking lights on.
As police approached, Contreras honked the truck’s horn, alerting Sandoval, who was working underneath the vehicle. Sandoval reportedly fled on foot as police officers approached, and a short struggle ensued when officers caught up to him. A K-9 officer was called to assist in locating Sandoval.
Both men were arrested and taken to the El Paso County Detention Facility. Sandoval was charged with resisting arrest, evading arrest, criminal mischief for damaging the catalytic converter, and criminal trespass. He remains in detention with a combined bond of $17,500.
Contreras, who was charged with criminal mischief for vehicle damage to the catalytic converter, had his bond initially set at $10,000. However, following a bond hearing, his bond was reduced, and he posted a surety bond of $2,500 for his release.
The investigation into the theft continues, and authorities are reminding the public of the value and vulnerability of catalytic converters, which are often stolen for the precious metals inside them.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of catalytic converter thefts in various parts of the country, with many suspects looking to sell the parts for scrap or resell them. Local law enforcement agencies continue to work on preventing these crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice.
