Sheriff's officials investigate catalytic converter theft in Apple Valley

Sheriff’s officials responded to a suspect stealing a catalytic converter from a shed in Apple Valley and another attempting to sell the auto part at a recycling center.

The Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station reported that at 8:36 a.m. on Monday, deputies responded to a burglary on Highway 18.

The area is east of Navajo and between Tonikan and Pawnee roads.

A reporting party told sheriff’s officials that two subjects were seen walking through a mobile home park carrying a catalytic converter stolen from her shed.

The mobile home park is located in the 22300 block of Hwy. 18, west of Tonikan Road.

Deputy Dare arrived at the scene and located the first suspect, identified as Todd Robert Studer, 53, of Apple Valley.

An area check was conducted, and the second suspect, John Vaughn, 49, of Apple Valley, was found at a recycling center trying to sell the catalytic converter.

Studer was arrested on suspicion of grand theft and was booked at the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto, with bail set at $25,000. He also has five warrant holds out of Riverside and Orange counties, booking records show.

The case on Vaughn will be forwarded to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's office for review and filing.

Scrap value of a catalytic converter is estimated between $250 and $1,500. This auto part is one of the most expensive because of the precious metals used in its manufacturing.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked by the Sheriff’s Department to contact Deputy Dare at the Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station at 760-240-7400 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at 760- 956-5001.

Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 800-78CRIME (27463) or by leaving information on the We-Tip website at wetip.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Authorities investigate catalytic converter theft in Apple Valley