Seal Beach Police Report

The Seal Beach Police Department arrested two suspects after they allegedly stole a catalytic converter from a vehicle parked on a Seal Beach street on Nov. 2. At 9:04 a.m., police received a call from a witness who allegedly saw a suspicious subject with a saw crawling underneath a parked vehicle. Moments later, the suspect emerged from the vehicle, entered another vehicle, and fled the scene.

Believing a crime had been committed, the witness contacted the Seal Beach Police Department.

Through a coordinated effort between Seal Beach and Huntington Beach Police departments, two suspects driving a silver Lexus were stopped in Sunset Beach near the area of seventeenth street and Pacific Coast Highway.

During the subsequent investigation, it was discovered that the suspects allegedly removed their own vehicle’s license plate (to avoid detection) and used a cutting tool to quickly remove the catalytic converter from a parked vehicle. The suspects were identified as Roberto Orduna, 43 of Los Angeles, and Juan Ochoa, 39, also of Los Angeles.

Both suspects were later booked at the Orange County Jail for grand theft and conspiracy.

The victim’s catalytic converter was recovered; however, it was badly damaged.

“We see thefts occur even in broad daylight,” said Seal Beach Detective Sgt. Chris Hendrix. “We’re grateful for the witness who saw something suspicious and quickly notified the police.

“Had it not been for her quick actions, we may not have caught these two theft suspects.”

Anyone with information related to this crime is asked to contact Seal Beach Police Detective Chris Fisher at 562799-4100, ext. 1110, or cfisher@sealbeachca.gov. —from the SBPD