MOUNTAIN VIEW – South Bay authorities arrested four Merced residents in connection with the attempted theft of a catalytic converter and a counterfeiting case over the weekend.

At around 4 a.m. Sunday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 800 block of Wake Forest Drive in Mountain View for reports of a neighbor chasing someone away from their residence, the Mountain View Police Department said in a news release Monday.

The suspect escaped in a Toyota Camry, which officers stopped on nearby Emily Drive. The driver, identified as 21-year-old Na Xiong, was detained and ultimately arrested after a search of the car turned up a stolen and loaded handgun, several burglary tools and a catalytic converter stolen from a car at the Wake Forest Drive home, according to police.

Police said Xiong was arrested and booked into Santa Clara County jail on charges of carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, knowingly carrying a loaded firearm that was stolen, receiving stolen property, forgery and counterfeiting, and attempted grand theft.

The same car was linked to recent suspicious activity at the Ramada Inn on Fairchild Drive. Officers went to the hotel and spotted several people entering and exiting two rooms, according to police.

Police said at least one person was seen hiding items when officers went to speak to the occupants. Officers searched the rooms and allegedly found methamphetamine, pipes, counterfeit currency, tools to make counterfeit currency, phones and burglary tools.

Arrested were 26-year-old Touta Xiong, 35-year-old An Lee and 35-year-old Bill Chang.

Touta Xiong was booked into jail on charges of forgery and counterfeiting, possession of burglary tools, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and attempted grand theft. Lee and Chang were booked into jail on charges of forgery and counterfeiting, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

“Absolutely incredible work by our patrol team,” said Mountain View police Lt. Armando Espitia in the news release. “Their awareness and ability to quickly connect multiple incidents led to the apprehension of these suspects and will help keep our community safe.”