Catalytic converter theft has been a headache for car owners for years now, but it’s not every day the getaway car turns out to be a Tesla. Early Thursday morning, Placentia Police Department officers responded to a burglary call in the area of the 200 block of Sunrise, where someone had just cut a catalytic converter out from under a parked vehicle. Witnesses reported the suspects took off in a white Tesla, which gave officers a pretty specific vehicle to look for.
It didn’t take long. An officer spotted a white Tesla near Orangethorpe and the 57 freeway and tried to pull it over. Instead of stopping, the driver hit the gas and took off, kicking off a pursuit through the area. That chase came to an abrupt end when the Tesla slammed into a wall near the 91 freeway and Brookhurst.
Both suspects bailed out and tried to run, but a short foot chase ended with both of them in custody. Placentia PD got an assist from Fullerton PD, Anaheim PD, and the California Highway Patrol to wrap things up. Once officers searched the Tesla, they found six catalytic converters inside, all believed to be from recent thefts in the area.
The suspects were booked into Orange County Jail on multiple charges, along with probation violations. Placentia PD gave credit to the resident who called in the suspicious activity, along with the various agencies that helped bring the pursuit to a close.
An EV as the Getaway Car
There’s something almost ironic about using an electric vehicle to make off with catalytic converters, a part that only exists because of internal combustion engines. EVs don’t have them, don’t need them, and don’t care about the precious metals packed inside.
But a quiet, quick Tesla makes a pretty practical choice for a smash-and-grab crew that needs to get in and out fast, then get away just as quickly.
Catalytic Converter Theft Keeps Climbing in Orange County
Placentia PD noted that catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise across Orange County over the past month. These parts contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium, all valuable metals that scrap buyers will pay for with little hassle.
That combination of high value and easy access underneath a parked car has made these thefts a persistent problem for owners of trucks, SUVs, and older Toyotas and Hondas especially, since those models tend to be prime targets.
It’s worth pointing out how many departments pitched in here. Placentia, Fullerton, Anaheim, and CHP all worked together to bring this pursuit to a safe conclusion, which isn’t always a given once a chase starts.
Our Take
Six converters in one car says this wasn’t a first-time outing, and the crash likely saved everyone a longer chase down the freeway. Credit goes to the neighbor who made the call.
That one phone call is usually what turns a theft into an arrest, Tesla or not.