Oceanside police arrest 6 suspects in attempted catalytic converter theft
Incident follows detainment of 3 others earlier in the week
A stainless steel catalytic converter with an oxygen sensor or O2 sensor is shown installed on an exhaust system under a vehicle. Catalytic converters have become a target for theft in the past few years. (Photo by Tony Savino, iStock Getty Images)
January 1, 2023
Oceanside police arrested six suspects, including one juvenile, on Thursday, Dec. 29, in connection with catalytic converter thefts.
The arrests follow three others made in Oceanside on Dec. 26 related to thefts of catalytic converters, which have been on the increase in recent years, prized for the metals they contain.
Thursday’s arrests were the result of a call at about 2:05 a.m. regarding a converter theft in progress in the 5000 block of Blackberry Way in Oceanside, authorities reported.
Officers attempted to stop two suspect vehicles, which led to a pursuit along state Route 76, according to an Oceanside Police Department report. Although the pursuit was stopped as speeds accelerated, officers were able to disable the vehicles using strategically placed stop sticks.
The suspects fled toward the San Luis Rey River after their vehicles became inoperable near Loretta Street, the Police Department stated. Officers were able to locate and detain six suspects with the aid of the department’s Unmanned Aerial System Team.
Two catalytic converters and tools that authorities say are commonly used in such thefts were also found.
One of the suspects was identified as a runaway, a girl, who was released to her parents. The adult suspects were booked on suspicion of grand theft, receiving stolen property, possession of burglary tools and conspiracy to commit a felony. One of the suspects was also booked on suspicion of child endangerment.
OsideNews is an edition of the North Coast Current.
(Story updated 3/28/2023 at 12:55 p.m.)
