2 Arrested, One Suspect Wanted In Napa Catalytic Converter Theft

NAPA, CA — Two men who police say were interrupted while trying to steal a catalytic converter from a vehicle in Napa early Monday morning are in custody while authorities continue to search for a third suspect who authorities believe were involved in the incident.

Brayan Burgos, 26, of Alameda, and Franklin Ruiz, 26, of Oakland, were located by police after they fled from a vehicle that police said were involved in a high-speed chase following the incident in Napa, police said.

Police said the owner of the vehicle attempted to stop the theft in the 4000 block of Tokay Drive just before 2:30 a.m., police said. As the victim of the theft tried to apprehend the suspects, one of the men hit the victim in the head with the catalytic converter and fled, police said.

Officers from the Napa County Sheriff’s Office and American Canyon Police Department saw the suspect’s vehicle traveling on Highway 29 and attempted the stop car, police said. He vehicle took off at a high rate of speed. American Canyon Police set down spike strips down at Napa Junction and Highway 29 in an attempt to stop the chase, according to the Napa Valley Register.

The vehicle eventually stopped in Vallejo and two of the three suspects got out of the car and fled on foot, police said. Police arrested Burgos, who was driving the vehicle after they found him in the back yard of a nearby residence, police said. He was charged with evading police and driving in the opposite direction of traffic.

Ruiz remained in the car, police said, and was arrested. He was charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon and grand auto theft, police said. A third suspect who is being sought for assault and battery remains at large, police said.

Police found five catalytic converters in the vehicle and are attempting to match the devices with those reported stolen on Monday, police said.