Bend Police are asking the public for help in identifying the victims of catalytic converter thefts between the dates of Aug. 28 and Aug. 31, 2022.
At approximately 4:31 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31, Bend Police contacted a 37-year-old California man as he was parked illegally and then was seen driving slowly down SE Second Street near Scott Street. When officers spoke to him, they spotted two catalytic converters in the backseat of his Mitsubishi Outlander.
During a pat down, officers located 2 grams of methamphetamine, pliers and four Sawzall blades in his pants pockets, as well as a Sawzall, pliers, clamps, bolt cutters and binoculars on the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Officers also located a floor jack in the back of the vehicle.
Bend Police executed a search warrant on the vehicle and ultimately recovered four catalytic converters as well as the tools used for stealing them. Officers are still trying to identify the owners of these catalytic converters, and ask community members to call nonemergency dispatch at 541-693-6911 if they suspect they were the victim of catalytic converter theft between Sunday, Aug. 28 and Wednesday, Aug. 31.
The suspect was transported to the Deschutes County Jail on suspicion of first-degree theft, first-degree criminal mischief and possession of a controlled substance.
