Serial Catalytic Converter Thieves Arrested After Auto Burglary At SF Mall: Police

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Two people were arrested last week in connection with a series of catalytic converter thefts in Berkeley and an auto burglary at a prominent San Francisco mall, authorities said.

Police say they responded to the Stonestown Mall in San Francisco around 10 a.m. on Thursday after someone reported their car had been broken into.

Using the city's Real Time Investigation Center and Automated License Plate Readers, officers discovered the plate the car had on was previously stolen, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

Despite the suspects changing their license plate again, officers were able to track the car they were in as it made its way out of San Francisco towards Berkeley, police said.

At that point, they learned from the Berkeley Police Department that at least one of the suspects was wanted in connection with several catalytic converter thefts. Officers shortly after found the suspects at the El Cerrito Plaza, police said.

The suspects were still inside and were taken into custody on suspicion of burglary, possessing stolen property and conspiracy, police said.

Police identified the suspects as Calvin Fries, 39, of Bay Point, and Wyatt Zapien, 34, of Brentwood.

They were both linked to several other crimes, including the converter thefts, police said, while Zapien had three outstanding warrants at the time of the arrest. It's unclear what those warrants were for.

During the arrest, officers seized several burglary tools and six catalytic converters from the suspects' vehicle, police said.