SAN BRUNO – An attempted catalytic converter theft Monday in San Bruno ended in a high-speed chase and the arrest of two East Bay residents, according to police.
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The incident happened around 5:40 a.m. in the 200 block of Florida Avenue, the San Bruno Police Department said in a news release. The victim told police one of the suspects pointed a firearm at them and ordered them to go back inside their residence.
The suspects then left the scene in a white sport utility vehicle, according to police.
An officer spotted an SUV matching the description of the suspect vehicle near East San Bruno Avenue and Highway 101 and tried to stop the driver. Police said the driver sped off and tried to elude officers by driving against traffic on the highway.
The occupants of the SUV also hurled tools and other objects at pursuing officers, according to police
The chase ended in the 1600 block of Amphlett Boulevard in San Mateo. The suspects ran from the SUV but were captured after a brief foot pursuit, police said.
One of the suspects tossed a loaded, unregistered firearm during the foot pursuit, according to police.
An investigation revealed the SUV had been reported stolen, police said, adding that a search of the vehicle also turned up evidence consistent with catalytic converter thefts.
The suspects – identified as a 44-year-old Oakland man and a 44-year-old Pittsburg woman – were arrested and booked into San Mateo County jail on charges including assault with a firearm, possession of a stolen vehicle and grand theft.
In the wake of the incident, police acknowledged growing concern around catalytic converter thefts in the Bay Area, but they urged residents to avoid directly confronting suspects. Instead, police urged residents to immediately call 911 and provide detailed descriptions of the suspects, their vehicle and last known direction of travel.