Operation “CAT in the Hat” - Organized Retail Theft Task Force Arrests San Bernardino County Gang Members After Catalytic Converter Theft
July 12, 2025 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that the San Bernardino County residents suspected of Catalytic 
Converter Thefts in Ventura County were arrested during Operation “CAT in the Hat”.
During the months ranging from December 2024 through April 2025, multiple Ventura County cities experienced a rash of catalytic converters stolen from vehicles.
During an ongoing investigation by the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force Detectives, VCORTTF identified the suspects as San Bernardino County gang members.
On June 2nd, 2025, VCORTTF with the assistance of the Oxnard Police Department and Ventura Police Department located and arrested Eric Alonzo while leaving his residence.
On July 10th, 2025, Andy Rodriguez was also arrested after being arrested for his felony warrant.
Both Eric Alonzo and Andy Rodriguez are currently in custody booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura on felony charges related to felony grand theft. Eric Alonzo and Andy Rodriguez were charged by the District Attorney’s Office with one felony count of 487(a)PC – Grand Theft and 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to commit a crime. Steven Alonzo and Ronnie Holguin are currently in custody in the San Bernardino County Jail on unrelated charges. Both Holguin and S. Alonzo have active felony warrants for their arrests related to the above VCORTTF Catalytic Converter Thefts.
The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force was formed after the Sheriff’s Office was awarded grant funding under the California Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program. This program formalizes a coordinated effort, overseen by the Sheriff’s Office, involving all law enforcement agencies in Ventura County to prevent and combat the estimated $10 million yearly loss from organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft and cargo theft.
The task force is comprised of detectives from various agencies within Ventura County with the primary mission of combatting organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft and cargo theft which impact our businesses, citizens, and communities here in Ventura County. The task force aims to provide a safe environment for everyone while working hand in hand with retailers, law enforcement agencies and the public to identify, locate and arrest the criminals involved in these types of crimes.
People with information regarding organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft or cargo theft are encouraged to call the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force’s recorded line at (805) 383-8703 or by calling the Crime Stoppers Tip Line (800) 222-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous when calling either number.
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Nature of Incident: |
Operation “CAT in the Hat” - Organized Retail Theft Task Force arrests San Bernardino County Gang Members after Catalytic Converter Theft Spree |
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Report Number: |
25-14876, 25-18579, 19465, 25-43333, 25-43475, 25-43836, 25-23180, |
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Location: |
Various cities within the County of Ventura |
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Date & Time: |
Various |
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Unit(s) Responsible: |
Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force (VCORTTF), Oxnard PD, Ventura PD |
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(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
Age |
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(S) Alonzo, Eric |
San Bernardino |
25 |
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Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office
