NEWMAN — Two Stockton men were arrested early Sept. 14 after Newman police officers stopped a Chevrolet Equinox and found two stolen catalytic converters and tools commonly used in thefts inside the vehicle, according to the department.

Officer Jantzen and Officer Lopez were patrolling near Inyo Avenue and S Street at about 2:43 a.m. when they pulled over the SUV for a vehicle code violation. Police said the catalytic converters were in plain view and showed cut wiring and damage consistent with recent thefts.

The occupants — 37‑year‑old Luis Avila and 41‑year‑old Sophanna Danh — were taken into custody. Investigators later determined the converters appeared to have been removed from a 2003–2006 Toyota Prius and a 2003–2007 Honda Accord.

The next day, a social media post in a Patterson community group reported a catalytic converter theft that occurred at 1:45 a.m. on Sept. 14. The post included video of the crime and described the suspect vehicle as a Chevrolet Equinox.

Sergeant Parrott contacted Patterson Police Services and learned two catalytic converter thefts had been reported in the same neighborhood, involving a Honda and a Toyota Prius. After meeting with the victims, Parrott confirmed the cut marks and wiring matched the converters recovered during the Newman stop. The parts were returned to their owners.

The department credited its officers for their attention to detail and work on the case.