Two Lassen County men have been booked into county jail for catalytic converter theft and drug possession. The Lassen County sheriffs arrested Andrew Tidwell and Jonathan Martin after patrolling hwy 36 west of Willard Rd and found the two with freshly cut catalytic converters in their pick-up truck, where one had just been cut from the Cadillac they were parked behind. Deputies in addition found illegal drugs including meth and heroin on both Tidwell and Martin as well as in their vehicle. Tidwell had outstanding warrants for his arrest while Martin was out on active Lassen county probation. According to claims data reviewed by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), thefts of catalytic converters have increased by 325% since the pandemic. The vehicle piece is stolen for the precious metals they are often made from where recyclers will pay $50 to $250 per catalytic converter.
