Tuesday, September 22, 2026 · Serving all of Hudson County since March 2011UCPD Arrests Two Suspects In Catalytic Converter Theft
The Union City Police Department has announced the arrests of two individuals in a catalytic converter theft. Police say they received a radio transmission on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 from…
The Union City Police Department has announced the arrests of two individuals in a catalytic converter theft. Police say they received a radio transmission on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 from nearby agencies that a vehicle matching a Black Dodge Durango had committed a theft of a catalytic converter. Officers attempted to conduct a motor-vehicle stop, however, the suspected vehicle fled the scene. The Durango ultimately fled from three different police departments in the area.
Union City’s Police Department says several hours later, plain clothes officers were in the area of 3600 Kennedy Blvd. when they observed a vehicle matching a “be on the lookout” (BOLO) as provided by the radio transmission. Officers exited their vehicle and were able to thwart the suspects who were attempting to remove a catalytic converter from a parked vehicle.
Arrested and charged were 27-year old, College Point, New York resident Ledwin P. Luciano-Pena, and 28-year old, Corona, New York resident Paulo F. Perez Vasquez.
Luciano-Pena has been charged with Receiving Stolen Property (Possession of a stolen vehicle); Receiving Stolen Property (Possession of a Stolen License Plate); Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer; Criminal Attempt – Theft; Burglary Tools; and Resisting Arrest.
Perez Vasquez faces charges of Receiving Stolen Property (Possession of a stolen vehicle); Criminal Attempt – Theft; Burglary Tools; and Resisting Arrest.