Resident threatened at gunpoint during catalytic converter theft

Catalytic converter thieves brandished a gun at a Berkeley resident early Monday morning on Tremont Street, authorities report.

The incident happened at Essex and Tremont streets at about 2:20 a.m., Berkeley police said.

The victim went outside after hearing drilling sounds, authorities said.

That’s when one of the thieves pulled out a gun and pointed it at them, according to BPD.

The culprits got back into their vehicle and fled southbound on Tremont with the stolen goods.

Police said there have already been eight catalytic converter thefts in Berkeley this year.