THE WESTMINSTER Police Department building. (File photo).

An alert Westminster police officer is credited with foiling an attempt to steal a catalytic converter from a parked automobile on Saturday.

According to the WPD, the officer was driving through Westminster Center – located at Goldenwest Street and Westminster Boulevard – at around 1:40 a..m. when he heard the sound of metal hitting the ground. He found a suspect beneath the automobile. The suspect was wearing latex gloves and mask; he was also holding a flashlight.

The officer saw two saw blades on the ground with a saw machine nearby. The suspect was taken into custody and booked into Orange County Jail.