Peninsula Catalytic Converter Theft Suspects Elude Pursuit

PACIFICA, CA – Two suspected Peninsula catalytic converter suspect eluded authorities after a brief pursuit Thursday morning, Pacifica police said.

Officers at around 7:05 a.m. Thursday responding to Oddstad Boulevard on the report of a catalytic converter theft that had just occurred determined the suspects fled in an Audi Q5 SUV, police said.

An officer located the suspect vehicle in the area of State Route-1 and Rockaway Beach Avenue, but the driver of the white Audi refused to stop, police said.

A brief pursuit ensued, but it was called off when the suspect vehicle began “driving through intersections against red traffic signals, passing other motorists on the shoulder, driving at a high rate of speed, and putting the safety of the public at risk.”

The suspect vehicle was last seen traveling north on State Route-1 towards Daly City.

Officers later determined the license plate on the suspect vehicle had been stolen and was placed on the suspect vehicle in an apparent attempt to evade law enforcement, police said.

The suspects have not yet been identified and the investigation is ongoing, police said.

Catalytic converters reduce harmful pollutants and have been mandated in the United States since 1975.

They contain precious metals including platinum, rhodium and gold, which has made them an attractive target for thieves.

Catalytic converters can be removed from cars in minutes and sold to metal recyclers for $20-$200 according to Edmunds.

The extracted metals can be sold for up to $6,000 an ounce. The cost of replacing catalytic converters is typically upwards of $1,000.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Pacifica Police Department at 650-738-7314, or can be provided anonymously by calling the silent witness tip line at 650-359-4444. Refer to PPD Case No 22-2435.