News Release
On January 25, 2022, detectives with the Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) and
deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Thousand Oaks Station and Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Lost Hills Station arrested two suspects for conspiracy to commit thefts of catalytic
converters, evading an officer with willful disregard and resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace
officer.
On January 25, 2022, detectives with the Thousand Oaks Police Department’s Special
Enforcement Unit (SEU) received information from detectives with the Orange County Sheriff’s
Department’s Directed Enforcement Unit regarding a vehicle associated with catalytic converter
thefts. The information provided by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department indicated the
vehicle was in the city of Thousand Oaks and may be involved in the thefts of catalytic converters
from vehicles. SEU detectives responded and were able to locate the vehicle. A short time later,
SEU detectives were able to confirm the occupants of the vehicle had committed the theft of a
catalytic converter from a vehicle in the 400 block of Via de la Luz in Thousand Oaks.
After the crime, patrol deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the suspects’ vehicle,
however the vehicle immediately fled and a high-speed pursuit ensued. The pursuit entered the
101 freeway southbound and was terminated out of concern for public safety when the vehicle
drove in a dangerous manner. A short time later, deputies located the suspect vehicle on the
center median of Reyes Adobe Road just south of the 101 Freeway off-ramp. The vehicle was
disabled and unoccupied.
Deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
conducted an extensive search of the area for the outstanding suspects. Deputies were able to
locate (S) Ramiro Juaquin Garcia Nunez and (S) Anthony Gutierrez hiding in the vicinity of the
disabled vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, deputies located two stolen catalytic converters
and tools consistent with the theft of catalytic converters. Deputies were later able to determine
the second catalytic converter had been stolen from the 100 block of Maynard Avenue in
Thousand Oaks.
(S) Ramiro Juaquin Garcia Nunez and (S) Anthony Gutierrez were arrested for Grand Theft,
Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, and Evading an Officer with Willful Disregard. Gutierrez was
also arrested for Resist, Obstruct or Delay of a Peace Officer. Garcia Nunez and Gutierrez were
booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for the violations. Garcia Nunez’ bail was set at
$50,000 and Gutierrez’ bail was set at $25,000.
There has been a significant increase of catalytic converter thefts within Ventura County over the
past year. This is mainly due to the quick ability of criminals to remove the catalytic converters
from vehicles and turn them in to recycling businesses for quick cash. If you observe any
suspicious vehicles or activity that may be related to catalytic converter thefts, please contact
Sheriff’s Dispatch at 805-654-9511.
Prepared by: Sergeant Greg Gibson
News Release Date: January 25, 2022
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Weston Price (805) 947-8281
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