WESTBOROUGH – Three people face charges after officers responded to a report of someone attempting to steal a catalytic converter.
At about 2 a.m. this morning, Westborough and Northborough police responded to the Arrive apartments at 297 Turnpike Road on the report of suspicious activity in the parking lot, according to a Westborough Police Department press release.
According to Westborough police, the caller told police that the suspects, who were in a dark-colored sedan, were trying to remove a van’s catalytic converter.
When police arrived, the sedan allegedly left the parking lot at a “high rate of speed” and drove onto Otis Street. Police attempted to stop the vehicle. However, officers said the suspects fled before ultimately they crashed at the intersection of Rt. 9 and Rt. 135.
Officers said that multiple catalytic converters and tools to remove them were recovered from the scene.
Erick Hernandez, 18, of Providence, R.I; Lucia Fernandez, 21, of Coventry, R.I.; and Almin Camarena, 19 were arraigned in Westborough District Court this afternoon on charges of destruction of property over $1,200, larceny over $1,200, possession of a burglarious instrument and three counts of receiving stolen property.
Camarena also faces charges of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failing to stop for police and unregistered motor vehicle.
The investigation is ongoing, according to Westborough police.
In the press release, officers wrote that Westborough and other communities have seen a “significant spike” in the theft of catalytic converters, which aid in turning the toxic fumes from an engine into exhaust.
Earlier this month, the Hudson Police Department cautioned of an increase in thefts.
NICB vans are targeted because of the ground clearance, Westborough officers wrote.
According to police, catalytic converters are built using precious metals, and copper, platinum, rhodium or palladium has been found and later sold.
“It takes seconds for a thief to remove a catalytic converter from under a vehicle,” officers wrote.
