VENTURA COUNTY, CA — October 1, 2026 — Law enforcement officials arrested 10 Los Angeles residents in a series of catalytic converter thefts. The arrests came as part of a law enforcement effort titled “Operation Cut and Run”
Throughout the spring and summer months, multiple residents throughout Los Angeles
and Ventura counties reported catalytic converters stolen from their vehicles.
According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Cmdr. Jeremy Paris,
pursuant to funding under the California Retail Theft Prevention Grant program, the
Ventura County Organized retail Theft Task Force went to work to combat the
estimated $10 million yearly losses suffered by businesses and private individuals.
Working throughout the summer, the Task Force operation called Cut and Run
identified group of suspects who allegedly traveled from Los Angeles County to
target vehicles in Ventura County.
On September 30, detectives from multiple law enforcement agencies served several
residential search warrants, recovered property believed to have been stolen.
Arrested were:
Los Angeles County residents: Bryan Guerrero, 19, Kevin Ramos, 22, Angel Espinoza, 22, Nestor Barillas, 21, Maynor Guillen-Cardona, 20, Andrew Ramirz, 20, Efran Florez, 20, Yorvin Monterroso, 20, and Isaiah Guzman, 40.
They were transported to Ventura County Jail, where they were booked on
multiple conspiracy, burglary, and probation violations with bail amounts for each
ranging from $50,000 to $100,000.
– by F. Scott Faulkner
