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Police, Troopers Arrest Catalytic Converter Thieves After They Shoot at Man, Attempt to Flee on I-5

Seattle Police and Washington State Patrol troopers arrested a pair of suspected catalytic converter thieves on Wednesday after they opened fire on a man when he tried to stop them from stealing his car’s catalytic converter.

Around 9 p.m., the victim was standing near his car in the 1700 6th Avenue South when he saw a black van pull up nearby. A 25-year-old woman, carrying a cutting tool, got out of the van and knelt under his vehicle. 

The victim confronted the woman, who shouted for a second suspect—a 31-year-old man—to help her. The second suspect then appeared, armed with a handgun.

The victim pepper sprayed the armed suspect, punched him, and ran. The armed man fired at the victim, missing him, before the suspects drove away.

Officers found the suspects and attempted to pull them over in the 3300 block of South McClellan Street, but they refused to stop and drove dangerously and erratically until they reached Interstate 5.

There, Washington State Patrol troopers joined the pursuit, and used spike strips and vehicle maneuver to disable the suspects’ van.

Police arrested the suspects and learned their black van had previously been reported stolen. Officers also recovered ammunition and approximately 23 grams 29 grams of methamphetamine from the van. Police booked both suspects into the King County Jail.


A photo previously posted with this story was added in error. That photo pertained to a separate and unrelated incident and has therefore been removed.