OCSD Warrants Net 2,400 Stolen Catalytic Converters Worth 4.3 Million; Five Arrested
An OCSD warrant operation on Sept. 3, 2026 dismantled a suspected large-scale catalytic converter theft ring, recovering about 2,400 converters valued near $4.3 million, two unregistered firearms and more than $105,000 in cash. Five men were booked on suspicion of grand theft (PC 487) and conspiracy (PC 182(a)(1)), though jail records show the bookings spanned months: Gilberto Valdovino and Brayan Cruz De Leon on June 19 (Cruz De Leon released Aug. 19), Jorge Alberto Delgadillo and Julio Moreno Reyes on Sept. 3, with Hugo Saenz Marin's date not given. No OCDA complaint, case number or arraignment has been reported as of Oct. 4; all five remain suspects.
Five suspects — Jorge Alberto Delgadillo, 35, Maywood; Julio Moreno Reyes, 40, Gilberto Valdovino, 27, and Brayan Cruz De Leon, 20, of Los Angeles; and Hugo Saenz Marin, 24, of Compton — are in custody. Assisting agencies include LASD Major Crimes, LA County Fire Haz-Mat, California DMV Investigations, the California Department of Insurance, and Irvine Code Enforcement.
OCSD North Investigations served multi-location search warrants across Orange and Los Angeles counties, recovering roughly 2,400 suspected stolen catalytic converters valued near $4.3 million, two unregistered firearms, and more than $105,000 in cash; five men were booked on suspicion of grand theft and conspiracy.
Search warrants served across Orange and Los Angeles counties; thefts linked to multiple north Orange County cities.
Warrants executed Sept. 3, 2026, following a roughly three-month investigation by OCSD's North Investigations / North DET unit.
OCSD alleges the five suspects operated an organized theft ring responsible for stealing catalytic converters from vehicles across north Orange County.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) has completed its enforcement action. Five suspects are in custody following the Sept. 3, 2026 warrant operation, and no new developments have been publicly reported as of Sept. 8, 2026. The investigation phase — spanning roughly three months — is effectively closed at the field level; prosecutorial proceedings are expected to follow through the Orange County District Attorney's office.
OCSD's North Investigations / North DET unit served multi-location search warrants across Orange and Los Angeles counties on Sept. 3, 2026, targeting a suspected large-scale catalytic converter theft ring linked to multiple north Orange County cities. The operation recovered approximately 2,400 suspected stolen catalytic converters with an estimated value of $4.3 million, along with precious-metal collection boxes, two unregistered firearms, and more than $105,000 in cash.
Five men were arrested and booked on suspicion of grand theft (PC 487) and conspiracy (PC 182(a)(1)): Jorge Alberto Delgadillo, 35, of Maywood; Julio Moreno Reyes, 40, of Los Angeles; Gilberto Valdovino, 27, of Los Angeles; Brayan CruzDeLeon, 20, of Los Angeles; and Hugo SaenzMarin, 24, of Compton. Names appear in the official OCSD press release.
Orange County Jail records, as reported by KESQ, indicate that Valdovino and Cruz De Leon were booked as early as June 19 — with Cruz De Leon released Aug. 19 — while Delgadillo and Moreno Reyes were booked Sept. 3. Hugo Saenz Marin's booking date was not confirmed in those records. Not all five were therefore taken into custody on the day of the Sept. 3 sweep.
The operation was supported by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Major Crimes unit, LA County Fire Haz-Mat, California DMV Investigations, the California Department of Insurance (CDI), and Irvine Code Enforcement.
No charging documents or arraignment dates have been publicly released. The case is expected to proceed through the Orange County District Attorney's office. OCSD's press release remains the primary official source.
- Sep 3, 07:00(about 2 months ago)
OCSD serves multi-location search warrants in Orange and Los Angeles counties, recovering about 2,400 suspected stolen catalytic converters, two unregistered firearms and more than 105,000 dollars in cash; five men are booked on suspicion of grand theft and conspiracy.
- Sep 4, 15:00(about 2 months ago)
OCSD announces the takedown, valuing the converters near 4.3 million dollars and linking the thefts to multiple north Orange County cities.
- Sep 5, 20:13(about 2 months ago)
OC Register publishes the names of the five men booked on suspicion of grand theft and conspiracy, and reports two firearms and more than $105,000 in cash were seized with the converters.
- NEWabout 2 months ago
Multi-Location Search Warrant Takes Down Catalytic Converter Theft-Ring September 4, 2026 lizbeth.gwisdalla Fri, 09/04/2026 - 15:03 Image news release website.jpg Body SANTA ANA, Calif. (Sept. 4, 2026): On Sept. 3, 2026, members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, in conjunction with sev