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Followup investigation of catalytic converter thefts leads to two arrests.

Palm Desert Station Burglary Suppression Unit (BSU), conducted further investigation regarding several reported vehicle catalytic converter thefts. The majority of the thefts occurred between the dates of April 15, 2021 and July 13, 2021. After a lengthy investigation BSU along with the assistance from the Riverside Auto Theft Interdiction Detail Team (RAID) identified two suspects responsible for several of the thefts. Santiago Salazar, 28 years of Indio and Gerado Marquez, 29 of Indio were identified as a suspects for their involvement in the thefts. On July 15, 2021, BSU members, along with the Palm Desert Special Enforcement Team, Palm Desert Business District Team and the Rancho Mirage Special Enforcement Team located and arrested Salazar in the 43000 block of Oleander Avenue, Indio. Marquez was located and arrested in the 83000 block of Sonora Avenue, Indio. Both Salazar and Marquez were responsible for dozens of catalytic converter thefts. Salazar and Marquez were transported and booked at the John Benoit Detention Center, in the city in Indio, for the multiple thefts, vehicle tampering, and conspiracy to commit crimes together.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with additional information to contact Deputy Patrick Montalvo or James Mills at (760) 836-1600 or call anonymously at (760) 341-STOP (7867) and reference incident #T211350042.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

Santiago Salazar	Gerado Marquez