Davis police arrested a Merced man on suspicion of stealing a catalytic converter from a vehicle Saturday — one of the latest in a rash of such thefts that have struck the Sacramento region in recent months.
Vue Xiong, 29, was arrested following a traffic stop during which the allegedly stolen vehicle part and “several power tools” were found inside his car, according to Davis Deputy Police Chief Paul Doroshov.
Doroshov said the arrest stemmed from a 2:30 a.m. call to police from a resident of the Alhambra Apartments in Mace Ranch, who reported seeing a suspicious person who appeared to be taking the catalytic converter from a Toyota Prius — a frequent target for the part, which contains precious metals and are sold for quick cash at auto recycling yards.
Surveillance video of the incident released by police shows the suspect exiting a sport-utility vehicle with a pair of tools, then jacking up the right side of a Prius parked two cars away. Less than two minutes later, he emerges from underneath the vehicle with what appears to be the sawed-off converter.
View the video here: Prius theft
The suspect, identified as Xiong, was trying to drive away from the scene when officers stopped him, Doroshov said. He was booked into the Yolo County Jail on charges of grand theft and vehicle tampering, as well as drug charges after allegedly being found in possession of methamphetamine.
Meanwhile, Davis police continue their investigations into the series of thefts. Anyone with information about Xiong or other possible suspects is asked to contact the Police Department at 530-747-5400.