Serial Catalytic Converter Thief Leads Officers On Chase Through Berkeley

Police recovered 11 stolen catalytic converters after the suspect fled the scene.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Berkeley police responded to a report of a possible catalytic converter theft early Thursday morning. When officers arrived, they saw a white Infiniti sedan driving without a front license plate and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver sped off, leading police on a brief chase through the Elmwood neighborhood before crashing through a parking lot exit and escaping. Police later found the abandoned vehicle with 11 stolen catalytic converters, a floor jack, and power tools inside.

Why it matters

Catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise nationwide, with thieves targeting the valuable metals inside the car parts. This incident highlights the growing problem of organized catalytic converter theft rings operating in the Bay Area, putting public safety at risk as suspects flee from police.

The details

According to police, officers responded to a report of a possible catalytic converter theft just before 3:30 a.m. on College Avenue. When they arrived, they saw a white Infiniti sedan driving without a front license plate and attempted to pull the vehicle over. The driver sped off, leading police on a chase through the Elmwood neighborhood. The suspect drove into a dead-end parking lot, but rather than surrender, swerved at the last moment to exit the lot and continue fleeing. Police briefly pursued the vehicle before losing sight of it near Ashby Avenue. The suspect later abandoned the car, which was found to contain 11 stolen catalytic converters, a floor jack, and power tools commonly used in these types of thefts.

  • The incident occurred just before 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2026.

The players

Berkeley Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the reported catalytic converter theft and pursued the suspect.

Suspect

The unidentified driver of the white Infiniti sedan who fled from police and was found to have 11 stolen catalytic converters in the vehicle.

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What’s next

Police say they will remain vigilant in deterring and apprehending those responsible for catalytic converter thefts in the community.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing problem of organized catalytic converter theft rings operating in the Bay Area, putting public safety at risk as suspects flee from police. It underscores the need for enhanced law enforcement efforts and community awareness to combat this type of property crime.