Information provided by Hollister Police Department. Lea este artÃculo en español aquÃ.
The Hollister Police Department used proactive investigative techniques and Flock Safety License Plate Reader (LPR) technology to arrest two suspects in connection with a catalytic converter theft and related criminal offenses.
On February 2, 2026, Senior Officer P. Torres responded to and documented a reported theft of a catalytic converter that occurred during the early morning hours in Hollister. Through a detailed review of video surveillance footage provided by the victim and the
use of Flock Safety License Plate Reader cameras, Officer Torres identified and developed an investigative lead involving a suspect vehicle observed leaving the area at the time of the theft. The vehicle was determined to be registered to a residence in the City of Merced.
On February 4, 2026, at approximately 2 a.m., Officer Cruz received a real-time alert from the Flock Safety LPR system indicating the suspect vehicle had re-entered the City of Hollister. At approximately 3:22 a.m., Officer Cruz located the vehicle occupied by two individuals and with the assistance of Officers Ramos and Robledo, conducted a traffic stop for an observed traffic violation near the intersection of Bridgevale Road and Graf Road.
During contact with the vehicle’s occupants, officers observed a catalytic converter in plain view on the rear seat of the vehicle. Based on this observation, officers conducted a probable cause search, which resulted in the recovery of the catalytic converter, burglary tools commonly used in catalytic converter thefts, controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.
The driver, David Baker (30) of Merced, and the passenger, Mee Xiong (38) of Merced, were arrested and booked on multiple alleged charges, including grand theft, conspiracy to commit a felony, possession of burglary tools, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Hollister Police Department remains committed to transparency and privacy protections. Flock Safety LPR data collected in Hollister is not shared with federal agencies or agencies outside the State of California.