Police Recover 7 Stolen Catalytic Converters from Prius After Westside Pursuit
Early Morning Police Chase Ends with Discovery of Stolen Catalytic Converters
A police pursuit on Los Angeles’ Westside concluded early Tuesday morning with the recovery of seven catalytic converters and tools associated with their removal. The operation came to a halt on the 105 Freeway after officers engaged in a chase involving a stolen Toyota Prius.
Around 5 a.m., officers were exiting the scene of an earlier chase in the Mar Vista area when their license plate reader identified the Prius, which was linked to a grand theft investigation. Upon attempting a traffic stop, the vehicle’s driver fled from the scene, prompting the pursuit.
The chase concluded on the 105 Freeway when officers utilized a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, successfully spinning the Prius to a stop. Inside the vehicle were two men and a juvenile, all suspected of involvement in grand theft.
Upon searching the Prius, officers discovered seven potentially stolen catalytic converters as well as saws and other tools commonly used to remove the parts. While police noted there were no reported thefts of catalytic converters in the area early Tuesday, they anticipate an influx of calls in connection with the found items.
The results of the police investigation will be submitted to county prosecutors for potential criminal charges. Catalytic converters are valuable due to the precious metals they contain, making them prime targets for thieves in the resale market.
