POLICE Department
UPDATE: Two Suspects Identified, Arrested in Catalytic Converter Thefts
July 20, 2016 - Two suspects wanted in at least three catalytic converter thefts in northwest and southeast Houston since April are in custody and charged with the crimes.
The suspects are identified as Juan Gonzales III (H/m, 34) and Nicholas Angelo Holland (w/m, 36). Each is charged with aggregate theft in the 179th State District Court. Photos of the suspects (Holland's courtesy of the Harris County Sheriff's Office) are attached to this news release.
Surveillance photos of the suspects and their vehicle were released at an HPD news conference on May 25.
The converter thefts were reported at the following locations:
- Mobilease Auto Sales at 1100 Blalock about 3:40 a.m. on April 5.
- Auto Nation at 12227 Gulf Freeway about 4:30 p.m. on May 6
- Project C.U.R.E Houston at 8251 Kempwood about 9 a.m. on May 9
In each incident, the suspects forced entry onto the property and cut the catalytic converters out of pickup trucks with a power tool. The suspects then loaded the converters onto a maroon Toyota Tacoma and fled the scene. In one additional incident on May 9 at 10810 Shepherd Falls, the victim reported a license plate stolen from his vehicle and at least $300 in toll road charge violations.
Acting on a Crime Stoppers tip, the suspects were identified as Gonzales and Holland. Members of the HPD West Patrol Division Tactical Unit arrested Gonzales on Monday (July 18) without incident. Holland was located in a state jail in an unrelated case.
Juan Gonzales III
Nicholas Angelo Holland (HCSO photo)
JFC/AMD 7-20-16
VHS/JFC 5-25-16
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
