Culver City Observer -

Culver City this week arrested two suspects in the act of stealing a catalytic converter from a vehicle parked in the 9900 block of Farragut Avenue.

The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. on November 1, according to Culver City Police Department.

Alerted by residents about a theft in progress, police arrived at the scene to find “three suspects attempting to steal a catalytic converter from the victim’s vehicle,” said CCPD in a statement.

Police arrested one suspect immediately while the other two took off running. “A perimeter was established and one of the suspects was apprehended in La Ballona Creek,” police said.

Search the suspects’ vehicle, officers found “a freshly cut catalytic converter along with commonly used tools to cut and steal converters.” CCPD.

The two suspects in custody were charged with conspiracy to commit grand theft, police said.

In its statement, CCPD also offered tips to prevent catalytic converters thefts. It urges residents to park their cars in garages, if possible, or well-lit areas and to have the catalytic converter welded to the car frame.