Camp Pendleton: Suspected Catalytic Converter Thief Leads Officers On High-Speed Pursuit

08.30.2021 | 1:30 AM | CAMP PENDLETON – A suspected catalytic converter thief who was believed to be armed with a firearm led officers on a high-speed pursuit through four counties before crashing and fleeing on foot, early Monday morning.

The pursuit began in Riverside County sometime around 1:30 AM when officers attempted to stop a black Cadillac sedan for a window tint violation.

The driver of the vehicle failed to yield and fled onto a nearby freeway at speeds in excess of 100 MPH prompting a high-speed pursuit.

Police pursued the driver through Riverside, Los Angeles, and Orange counties before successfully deploying a spike strip as the pursuit entered San Diego County.

The driver slowed after striking the spike strip and eventually crashed on the southbound I-5 Freeway about two miles north of Harbor Road.

Two people were seen fleeing from the vehicle on foot and tossing a metal object shortly after the crash.

The metal object was later determined to be a freshly cut catalytic converter.

A loaded magazine was discovered inside the vehicle and a firearm later was found in a field nearby while officers searched for the outstanding suspects.

As of 4:15 AM neither suspect had been apprehended and the search was suspended.

Miles Madison

Miles started reporting breaking news in 2015 and has been providing high-quality news video and timely reports from the Orange County area ever since. Combining his experience as a seasoned photojournalist, radio operator and sleuth, Miles provides unrivaled multimedia news reports.