3 young people in LA arrested in a series of catalyst thefts after hunting in Ventura: Police
Three youths have been remanded in custody and nearly a dozen converter catalysts have been found after a brief pursuit that ended in a crash in Ventura early Tuesday morning, according to police.
Around 4:20 a.m., an alert resident saw thieves take a catalytic converter from a neighbor’s car in the 2500 block of Harbor Boulevard and call 911, the Ventura Police Department said in a news release.
The witness gave a description of the suspected vehicle and told the shipper that the car was last seen leaving the area on Harbor Boulevard.
Patrol officers in the area began searching nearby neighborhoods, during which time a sergeant encountered the youths who were allegedly trying to steal another theft of a catalyst, according to the announcement.
The suspects then tried to escape in their vehicle and left the scene at high speed, police said.
A pursuit was initiated and the vehicle crashed shortly afterwards, according to the announcement.
All three young people were remanded in custody after the hunt ended, authorities said. They were transported to a local hospital to receive treatment for minor injuries.
Investigators found 11 thefts of catalysts in their possession – at least three of which were taken in the town of Ventura – plus jacks and burglary tools that can be used to take parts from vehicles, according to police.
The minors were not identified because they were minors, but all three were men from Los Angeles, the release said.
They are expected to be enrolled in the juvenile room on suspicion of conspiracy, theft, possession of burglary tools, vandalism and possession of stolen property. The driver also risks being charged with a crime.
All of the stolen catalysts appear to be similar to those found on a Toyota Prius, and authorities are working to locate the victims.
Anyone with information on the case, or who has recently been the victim of a theft of a catalyst in Ventura, please call Detective Karl Reyes at 805-339-4476.
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