Police Arrest Two Men Suspected of Stealing Catalytic Converters

San Ramon police arrested two men suspected of stealing catalytic converters early Friday.

A third suspect ran away at about 3:30 a.m., after police cornered the group in Rosario Court near , according to Sgt. Steve Fajardo.

Someone called police when they saw the three tinkering with a car in the neighborhood off  Talavera Road, Fajardo said.

"It was obvious they were doing something with the car," he said. "And then, an officer pulled up and they all started running away."

Two men were detained, both in their early 20s, one from Stockton and the other from Sacramento. The third male suspect was described as being Asian, in his early 20s, about 140 pounds, 5 feet, 7 inches tall. He was wearing  a black-hooded sweatshirt, police said.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter was called in to find the other suspect. 

"The third guy was on the run for a while," Fajardo said. "He wasn't caught."

Police found five catalytic converters with the two men who were caught, Fajardo said.

Catalytic converters are targeted by thieves because they contain platinum, which can be resold at some scrapyards for cash.