Three men arrested after U-Haul police chase when attempted to steal a catalytic converter
By: -----
Vacaville, CA - Three men were arrested early Sunday morning after police said they attempted to steal a catalytic converter and fled from officers in a U-Haul truck.
Just before 1 a.m., the Vacaville Police Department stated its officers received a call from a concerned resident who reported a U-Haul parked near a Honda and the sound of what appeared to be an electric saw.
According to Vacaville police, the caller told dispatch that as he moved closer, one of the three men started the saw in his direction in an apparent attempt to intimidate him before all three suspects fled in the truck. Officers responding to the area found fresh damage to the Honda’s catalytic converter weld and a Sawzall blade left behind at the scene.
Vacaville police reported that crews began searching nearby neighborhoods and soon found the U-Haul. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the passenger door opened and two suspects ran from the vehicle.
Officers identified one suspect as Jose Garcia, 40, of Richmond, who was arrested after a brief foot chase, which led to officers forming a search team that included a patrol drone operator and a K9.
During the search, officers checked several residential yards by using a drone, which located a heat signature inside a boat. Gilberto Castillo, 30, who police described as transient, was found hiding inside the boat despite attempting to conceal himself with items stored there.
The driver of the U-Haul, Even Jarquinreyes, 36, of Vacaville, was detained at the vehicle, VPD said. Inside the truck, officers stated they found multiple Sawzall tools, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
After an investigation, VPD stated that it was later determined that Castillo had an active felony no-bail warrant out of Marin County for vandalism and a probation violation. He was found to be on formal probation out of Alameda County for possession of stolen property.
All three men were booked into the Solano County Jail on various charges, including attempted grand theft, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy, possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest, officials said.