Armed suspects are stealing catalytic converters in Redwood City and police are raising awareness in hopes of catching the offenders and protecting residents, the department said Thursday.
The same suspects are believed to have committed at least eight catalytic converter thefts on March 21. One of the thefts was captured on private security video and shows a group of three suspects involved in the crime, one of whom appears to be armed with an AK-47-style assault rifle, police said.
The suspects are described as three men of an unknown ethnicity. The first was wearing a Bape Brank Shark zip-up sweater, light-colored pants, and dark-colored shoes; the second was armed with an AK-47 and was wearing a light-colored hoodie, while the third subject was wearing a dark-colored hoodie and dark-colored pants.
The suspects' vehicle is a dark-colored 2010 or newer Audi with original five-spoke wheels, authorities said.
The Redwood City Police He noted that there have been other recent thefts of catalytic converters reported in other Bay Area jurisdictions where the suspects were armed.
In light of this, local authorities are urging the community to be cautious if they see a catalytic converter theft in progress, and are warning them not to take any action that could endanger themselves or others. Instead, call the police.
Anyone with information regarding these suspects is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Mark Alifano at (650) 780-7673.
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