Two LA men arrested for catalytic converter theft in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara County Sheriff's deputies arrested two LA men just after 2:30 a.m. Friday for catalytic converter theft and a car chase that ended in Ventura County.

SBCSO deputies received calls of a catalytic converter theft at the 4700 block of Glenbrook Street. The victim reported suspects driving a Toyota Camry after they stole the catalytic converter from his car.

SBCSO deputies then noticed the Camry speeding near Reynolds Avenue in Carpinteria before beginning a pursuit on Highway 101 going south.

SBCSO deputies requested aid from both CHP and Ventura Police in the pursuit when CHP officers used a spike stripe on the Camry near Highway 101 and Telephone Road in Ventura County.

SBCSO deputies, CHP officers and Ventura Police all searched the surrounding area including a wash basin near the Ventura Auto Mall.

SBCSO found one suspect there and the driver of the getaway car trying to flee into a drainage tunnel. All three agencies could not locate a third suspect involved in the theft.

SBCSO deputies searched the Camry and found nine catalytic converters, four reciprocating saws and one floor jack before recovering them.

The 46-year-old driver and 22-year-old passenger were arrested on the following charges after being booked:

• felony grand theft
• conspiracy
• vehicle tampering
• felony evading a peace officer
• felony vandalism
• possession of burglary tools
• resisting or obstructing a peace officer
• speeding possession of stolen property

The driver also received a speeding charge and both men had their bail amounts set to $75,000 each, according to the SBCSO.

The investigation remains ongoing for both the outstanding suspect and to find the original place of the stolen catalytic converters.