Two men arrested in catalytic converter theft in Charlotte County

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – Two men were arrested for stealing a catalytic converter in Charlotte County.

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies said Andy Manuh Flores Herrera and Yordan Carreras Cespedes were both arrested after confessing to the catalytic converter thefts and selling them.

Deputies responded to a business on Tamiami Trail in South Punta Gorda after a catalytic converter was reported stolen. The catalytic converter was cut and removed from a Ford Excursion.

Surveillance footage from the business showed a Dodge Ram 4500 Tow Truck pulling into the parking lot. Detectives said two suspects got out of the tow truck, and one of the suspect’s acted as a lookout while the other looked underneath the Excursion.

Investigators determined that the tow truck marked with the Kings Towing was not the property of any legitimate business. The tow truck was used as an elaborate façade to steal during the day without drawing suspicion.

On June 22, CCSO said the tow truck was spotted by road patrol deputies traveling north on I-75 near Kings Highway. During the traffic stop, Cespedes provided deputies with a fraudulent business card and said he owned and operated Y & S Towing.

Investigators said this was also not a legitimate business. The theft of catalytic converters has been a recent criminal trend throughout Southwest Florida.

Both suspects were arrested on multiple charges and taken to the Charlotte County Jail. Detectives are actively investigating both suspects and expect additional charges. They have since bonded out of jail, but the tow truck used in the crimes was seized.

Anyone with information about catalytic converter thefts is asked to contact CCSO immediately or make an anonymous tip online.

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