On September 3, 2026, a significant multi-agency operation, spearheaded by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, dismantled a large-scale catalytic converter theft ring impacting cities across North Orange County. This action followed a three-month intensive investigation, which culminated in search warrants served across both Orange and Los Angeles Counties.
The North Investigations Unit and North Directed Enforcement Team spearheaded the extensive three-month investigation. Their work successfully linked numerous catalytic converter thefts occurring in various North Orange County cities to a sophisticated criminal organization. This organization was involved in the entire chain of illicit activity, including the thefts themselves, the dismantling of stolen converters, their transfer, and ultimate purchasing.
In addition to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, several other key agencies provided assistance in serving the multiple search warrants on September 3. These included the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau, Los Angeles County Fire/Haz-Mat Investigations, California Department of Motor Vehicles Investigations, California Department of Insurance Investigations, and City of Irvine Code Enforcement. This broad collaboration underscored the widespread impact and complexity of the criminal enterprise.
The culmination of the investigation and the execution of the search warrants yielded substantial results for public safety and property owners. Authorities arrested five individuals suspected of involvement in the ring. Furthermore, law enforcement discovered approximately 2,400 suspected stolen catalytic converters, with an estimated total value of $4.3 million. The operation also uncovered several large shipping boxes filled with precious metals, two unregistered firearms, and more than $105,000 in U.S. currency. These recoveries highlight the significant financial scale of the criminal operation.
The individuals arrested in connection with this investigation were identified as 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. All five individuals were booked on suspicion of Grand Theft and Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, according to information from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
The Orange County District Attorney’s office also played a vital role throughout the investigation, demonstrating the broad institutional commitment to combating such crimes.
As a reminder to Orange County residents, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department advises vigilance against vehicle theft. They recommend parking in well-lit areas or inside a garage, investing in anti-theft devices, and seeking service providers to etch identifying information onto car parts. These measures can help protect personal property from similar criminal activities.
