OAK PARK, Calif. — Advanced automated license plate tracking, multi-agency intelligence sharing, and targeted search warrants led to the dismantling of a regional catalytic converter theft crew operating across East Ventura County, law enforcement officials announced. Click here to view the official Ventura County Sheriff's Office Nixle release regarding the arrest of the catalytic converter theft crew.
The major property crime investigation was led by detectives assigned to the East County Special Enforcement Unit, the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit, the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force, and the Sheriff’s Crime Analysis Unit.
Authorities identified the two primary suspects as 22-year-old Ismael De Jesus Angel, a resident of South Gate, and 22-year-old Adrian Barajas Mejia, a resident of Bell Gardens.
Both suspects were taken into custody on felony charges under official Ventura County Sheriff's Office report numbers 26-88487, 26-88087, 26-88104, 26-88176, 26-88193, 26-88261, and 26-88646.
Oak Park Theft Spree and Regional Theft Links
According to an official incident release prepared by Detective G. O'Neil, the investigation originated during the early morning hours of July 2, 2026, when patrol deputies responded to multiple reports of vehicle tampering and thefts in the unincorporated community of Oak Park.
Deputies determined that thieves targeted cars parked along residential streets overnight, successfully stealing five catalytic converters and attempting two additional thefts.
Recognizing the close geographic proximity and tight timeframe of the crimes, investigators concluded the thefts were executed by the same coordinated crew.
Further intelligence analysis conducted by the Sheriff’s Crime Analysis Unit linked the suspect vehicle and crew to several similar catalytic converter thefts reported months earlier in the neighboring city of Thousand Oaks, as well as multiple active property crime investigations across Southern California.
Investigators also established that both Angel and Mejia were actively serving Los Angeles County probation terms for prior theft-related convictions.
ALPR Tracking, South Gate SWAT Warrant, and Gun Recovery
Detectives from the East County Special Enforcement Unit deployed Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology to analyze vehicle traffic entering and exiting Oak Park during the timeframe of the thefts.
ALPR image data successfully identified the getaway vehicle and enabled detectives to trace the car back to Angel and Mejia in Los Angeles County.
On September 4, 2026, tactical teams and detectives from the East County Special Enforcement Unit, Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit, and the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force executed a court-authorized search warrant at Angel’s home in South Gate.
During the warrant execution, officers took Angel into custody without incident.
A search of his residence yielded physical evidence directly tying him to the catalytic converter thefts, along with an unlawfully possessed firearm. Angel was transported to the Ventura County Main Jail and booked on felony charges.
Bell Gardens Apprehension and Felony Booking Status
Following up on secondary leads, detectives tracked the second suspect, Mejia, to a location in the City of Bell Gardens on September 16, 2026.
Detectives from the East County Special Enforcement Unit and Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit initiated an enforcement contact and successfully arrested Mejia for his role in the Ventura County theft spree.
Both Angel and Mejia were booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura on the following formal charges:
- PC 487: Grand Theft (Felony)
- PC 182: Criminal Conspiracy (Felony)
"Utilizing investigative techniques along with Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, detectives identified the vehicle used in the commission of the crimes along with two suspects, Ismael De Jesus Angel and Adrian Barajas Mejia... Through the course of the investigation, detectives learned Angel and Mejia were also being investigated by various law enforcement agencies around Southern California for similar crimes," the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office detailed in its official advisory.
"The Thousand Oaks Police Department would like to remind citizens to be aware of your surroundings. Report suspicious people or vehicles unfamiliar to your area by promptly calling 911... If you see something, say something," public safety officials added.
Public Safety Guidance and Contact Information
Catalytic converter thefts remain a frequent property crime across Southern California due to the high black-market value of precious metals contained within the vehicle's exhaust components, including platinum, palladium, and rhodium.
Law enforcement officials urge vehicle owners to park inside garages when possible, install anti-theft shield plates, or etch vehicle identification numbers (VIN) directly onto the catalytic converter housing.
Members of the public with additional information regarding this investigation or related property crimes in East Ventura County are encouraged to contact lead investigating Detective G. O'Neil at (805) 797-6374 or via email at EastCounty.SEU@VenturaCounty.Gov.
Photos from the field and case updates can be viewed on the Thousand Oaks Police Department Instagram Page. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477). Official releases are published on the Ventura County Sheriff's Office Official Nixle Portal.
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Transparency notes
Published: Sep 18, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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