SFPD Arrests Auto Burglary Suspects with the help of RTIC #26-053

Officers recover stolen property/catalytic converters

On May 7, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m. SFPD officers responded to an auto burglary at Stonestown Mall. Officers were advised that unknown suspects were observed breaking into a vehicle and stealing items. With the assistance of the Real Time Investigation Center (RTIC), SFPD’s Citywide Plainclothes team began searching for the vehicle. 

Officers launched a coordinated real-time investigation across the Bay Area using automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology and support from RTIC. While searching for the vehicle, officers discovered that the license plate on the vehicle had been reported stolen.  Investigators tracked the vehicle’s movements and learned through the assistance of the Berkeley Police Department that a possible associate of the suspect vehicle, identified as 39-year-old Calvin Fries, was linked to additional crimes, including catalytic converter thefts, auto burglaries, and fraud.

During this investigation, officers learned that the suspects switched the vehicle’s license plate, and an ALPR alert was triggered near the City of El Cerrito. SFPD plainclothes officers responded to the area and located the vehicle in El Cerrito Plaza, along with two suspects who were safely taken into custody.

Officers developed probable cause to arrest Fries of Bay Point and 34-year-old Wyatt Zapien of Brentwood.

During the search of the vehicle, officers recovered stolen property from the auto burglary, along with auto burglary tools, and six stolen catalytic converters.

Fries and Zapien were transported and booked into San Francisco County Jail for multiple charges, including 2nd degree burglary (459 PC), possession of stolen property (496(a)PC), possession of burglary tools (466pc), and conspiracy (182(a)(1)PC).

Zapien was also booked for three out-of-county warrants.

The SFPD Burglary Unit was also able to connect Fries to an additional catalytic converter incident, as well as Zapien to two additional catalytic converter thefts and a felony evasion incident.

Although arrests have been made, this remains an open and active investigation. Anyone with information should contact the SFPD at 1-415-575-4444 or Text-A-Tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.

SFPD CASE# 260-253-681, 260-030-732, 260-216-946, 260-217-223