Brothers accused of catalytic converter thefts in Merced
Merced police arrested a man suspected of local multiple catalytic converter thefts over the past few months, according to a department news release.
A warrant was served Wednesday morning for a residence in the 1100 block of Loughborough Drive.
Police arrested Christopher Means, 31, after finding him in possession of several allegedly stolen catalytic converters and more than $20,000 in cash.
He was booked into the Merced County Jail for allegedly receiving stolen property.
Sgt. Reynaldo Alvarez said police were led to Means as a suspect after his brother was arrested in December for possession of multiple catalytic converters, and learned that Means was allegedly involved as well.
Means has prior arrests in Merced County.
Catalytic converters range in value form $50 to $200 depending on the type of vehicle they come from, Alvarez said. Within the converters are a precious metal, which police say they believe Means intended to sell.
Merced police are asking those with information regarding this crime to contact Detective Jeremy Salyers at (209) 388-7771 or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at (209) 385-4725.
Information can be sent anonymously via text messages to the police department by dialing “TIP411” (847411) and including the word “Comvip” as the “keyword” in the text message.
