Armed Catalytic Converter Thieves Threaten Car Owner, May Be Connected to Police Pursuit

A Pasadena man in his thirties who confronted three men trying to steal his vehicle’s catalytic converter about 4:00 a.m. Wednesday escaped injury after one of the men pulled a knife and threatened him. Police said the thieves then stole the car and likely were in a car of the same description which led officers on a high-speed pursuit minutes later.

Pasadena police Lt. Sean Dawkins said the incident began in the 1400 block of Topeka Street when a Pasadena resident heard sawing noises and when he looked outside saw three men near his vehicle — one lying underneath it.

“He went out, confronted the three suspects,” Dawkins said. “One of them produced a knife told him to get back, and then all three got in the white sedan and fled the location.”

Officers searching for the vehicle saw a car that was similar in description and when it failed to pull over, gave pursuit southbound on Lake Avenue in the area of Villa Street and the I 210 Foothill freeway, Dawkins said.

“It was a short pursuit of about a little over three minutes, and they lost the vehicle due to its high rate of speed,” Dawkins said. “We can’t say for sure, but it’s possible it was connected to the robbery that occurred.”

Dawkins said the suspects remain at large.