santa rosa ca

On Sunday, January 2, 2022, at 2:13 a.m., Santa Rosa Police Department officers were dispatched to the 1200-block of Wyoming Drive regarding an interrupted catalytic converter theft.  The victim was inside his residence, when he heard the sound of a saw cutting metal near the front of his house.  The victim looked outside and saw two subjects standing near his work truck.  The victim yelled at the suspects, and they got into a vehicle and fled.  The victim described the suspect vehicle as a white Acura sedan.  Responding patrol officers spotted a vehicle, several blocks from the incident, that matched the description provided by the victim.  Officers made a traffic stop on the vehicle, in the 2700-block of Fourth Street. 

A search of the vehicle revealed a Sawzall (commonly used to cut catalytic converters), new and used saw blades, extra vehicle jacks, suspected methamphetamine, and other burglary tools.  The driver was identified as David Ponce, a 30-year-old, Santa Rosa resident.  The passenger was identified as Claudia Granadero-Rivas, a 28-year-old, Santa Rosa resident.
 
Based on the call for service, witness statements, and evidence located, Granadero-Rivas was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Jail on the below charges.  Granadero-Rivas’ bail was set at $110,000.
 
182(a)(1) PC – (Felony) Conspiracy to Commit a Crime
594(b)(1) PC – (Felony) Vandalism
664 / 487 PC – (Felony) Attempted Grand Theft
466 PC – (Misdemeanor) Possession of Burglary Tools
1203.2 – Violation of Probation/Pre-Trial Release Terms out of Marin County (two counts)
Misdemeanor Warrants – 2 Warrants out of Marin County
 
Based on the call for service, witness statements, and evidence located, Ponce was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Jail on the below charges:
 
182(a)(1) PC – (Felony) Conspiracy to Commit a Crime
594(b)(1) PC – (Felony) Vandalism
664 / 487 PC – (Felony) Attempted Grand Theft
466 PC – (Misdemeanor) Possession of Burglary Tools
 
Granadadero-Rivas has been arrested in Sonoma County at least four times in the past year for thefts involving catalytic converters:
 
9/27/2021      SRPD 21-10840        496(a) PC / 182(a)(1) PC / 466 PC Arrest
6/6/2021        SRPD 21-6097          182(a)(1) PC / 466 PC / 12022.1(a) PC Arrest
5/24/2021      SCSO 210524010     487 PC / 1203.2 PC Arrest
2/22/2021      PPD 21-771                487 PC / 496 PC / 1203.2 PC Arrest
 
Catalytic converter theft has been a significant issue facing our community and the SRPD Property Crimes Team has dedicated time and resources into addressing this problem.  In 2021, there were 345 cases of reported catalytic converter thefts, a 159% increase from 2020 (133 cases).  If you catch someone stealing a catalytic converter, CALL SRPD (707-528-5222 or 9-1-1) immediately. Provide suspect and vehicle descriptions.  If you have been a victim of catalytic converter theft, report the incident online at SRCity.org/ReportACrime and include any photographs of home surveillance footage.
 
Media inquiries may be directed to Sergeant Christopher Mahurin at (707) 975-0129 or [email protected]. SRPD Case number 22-23.