PRESS RELEASE
During the past year, law enforcement agencies throughout the State of California have seen a drastic
increase in thefts of catalytic converters. The thefts of the catalytic converters are due to precious metals
contained inside the catalytic converters. These metals include platinum, palladium or rhodium and garner
larger monetary return from scrap yards.
The Camarillo Police Department, as well as other law enforcement agencies throughout Ventura County,
are also experiencing the rise in catalytic converter thefts. In an attempt to combat these crimes, the
Camarillo Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit and Directed Enforcement Unit began late night
enforcement solely directed to combating catalytic converters thefts.
On the evening of January 20, 2022, a member of the Camarillo Police Department’s Directed Enforcement
Unit located a suspicious vehicle in the 2900 block of Petit Street. Additional units arrived to conduct
surveillance on the suspicious vehicle and ultimately conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle.
During the traffic enforcement stop, three Los Angeles County residents were contacted in the vehicle.
Although no catalytic converters were located in the vehicle, all three occupants were arrested for various
narcotics related crimes and one occupant had an outstanding felony warrant for vehicle theft. During
subsequent interviews, one of the arrestees confirmed the group was in the area to commit thefts of
catalytic converters but had been arrested before any theft(s) were committed.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is diligently working towards curbing the thefts of catalytic converters. In
conjunction with the directed enforcement, detectives are requesting that anyone who observes suspicious
vehicles or subjects promptly call and report the activity to law enforcement. Additionally, many residences
are now equipped with personal surveillance cameras such as the Ring security systems. Detectives are
requesting any residents who may have captured any crimes or suspicious behavior possibly associated with
any crimes contact law enforcement or report it at the below listed telephone number or agency email.
The Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail is comprised of six plain clothes detectives whose efforts focus on
issues that negatively affect the quality of life of the law-abiding citizens of Camarillo. The goal of Camarillo
SED is to reduce property and violent crime through investigations and directed enforcement.
Anyone with information about criminal activity occurring within the city of Camarillo is encouraged to contact
the Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail (SED) at (805) 388-5100. Callers can remain anonymous.
Information can also be provided by email at [email protected].
Report Number: RB #22-8509
Location: 2900 Block of Petit Street
Date & Time: 01/20/2022 @ 9:24 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail (SED), Camarillo Directed
Enforcement Unit
(S)uspects                     City of Residence             Age
(S) Kayla Rodriguez       Los Angeles                     22
(S) Javier Plazola           Los Angeles                     59
(S) Robert Zaragoza      Los Angeles                     35
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the
arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may
remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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