Three people were arrested on suspicion of burglary and other crimes after police found a jack and power tools commonly used to steal catalytic converters in their vehicle during a traffic stop in Santa Monica.
At about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, a Santa Monica police officer located a vehicle on Pearl Street near 11th Street without its lights on and a black shirt covering the rear license plate.
The officer conducted a traffic stop in the 1100 block of Pearl Street. The driver stated she did not have a driver’s license. The officer saw metal tools in the rear seat and, with the driver’s consent, searched the vehicle and located a hydraulic jack, reciprocating power saw, power drill and additional tools, police said.
Once the black shirt covering the plate was removed, officers discovered the vehicle also had expired registration and no front license plate displayed.
Based on the equipment located and other circumstances of the stop, officers suspected the occupants were preparing to commit catalytic converter thefts, police told NBC4 Investigates.
The three people inside the vehicle were arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy and other crimes. One of the passengers had an outstanding warrant for a robbery issued by the Los Angeles Police Department, police said.
Catalytic converters are components of a vehicle’s exhaust system that contain high-value metals.