Ten arrested in Ventura County catalytic converter theft ring
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office announced Operation 'Cut and Run,' arresting ten Los Angeles County residents in a months-long investigation into catalytic converter thefts across multiple Ventura County cities from April through August 2026.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office announced arrests in a months-long investigation into organized catalytic converter thefts across the county, with ten Los Angeles County residents charged in connection with the spree.
The thefts. During April through August 2026, Ventura County residents in multiple cities experienced a rash of catalytic converter thefts from their vehicles, according to the Sept. 30 news release. The suspects routinely traveled into Ventura County and targeted vehicles for the thefts.
The operation. The investigation was conducted by the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force, with assistance from the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force, Oxnard Police Department, Ventura Police Department, Simi Valley Police Department, Ventura County District Attorney's Office investigators, and Baldwin Park Police Department. Numerous residential search warrants were served, and stolen property was recovered.
The suspects and charges. All ten suspects are from Los Angeles County:
- Bryan Guerrero, 19: grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, assault upon a police officer, receiving stolen property. In custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility.
- Kevin Ramos, 22: grand theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of burglary tools. In custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility.
- Angel Espinoza, 22: grand theft, receiving stolen property, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy to commit a crime. Out on $100,000 bail.
- Nestor Barillas, 21: grand theft with special allegations. In custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility.
- Maynor Guillen-Cardona, 20: grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime. Out on $50,000 bail after the initial $500,000 was reduced.
- Andrew Ramirez, 23: grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime. Out on $100,000 bail after the initial $500,000 was reduced.
- Efran Florez, 20: grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime. Out on $75,000 bail after the initial $500,000 was reduced.
- Yorvin Monterroso, 20: grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime. Out on supervised release after the initial $500,000 bail hearing was vacated.
- Isaiah Guzman, 20: grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime. Out on $50,000 bail after the initial $500,000 was reduced.
- Erwin Francisco Juarez Echeveria, 40: conspiracy to commit a crime, receiving stolen property. In custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility.
The task force. The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force was formed after the Sheriff's Office was awarded grant funding under the California Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program. The program formalizes a coordinated effort, overseen by the Sheriff's Office, involving all law enforcement agencies in Ventura County to prevent and combat the estimated $10 million yearly loss from organized retail theft, vehicle and vehicle-parts theft, and cargo theft.
How to help. Anyone with information regarding organized retail theft, vehicle or vehicle-parts theft, or cargo theft may contact the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force's recorded line at 805-383-8703 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS. Tips can also be sent to www.theftcrackdownvc.org.
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