Theft Leads To Police Pursuit, Fiery Crash And 2 Arrests In OC

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA — Two Los Angeles men were arrested in connection with stealing catalytic converters and leading Huntington Beach police officers on a vehicle chase that ended in an explosive crash, authorities reported Sunday.

The incident started when a police officer saw a speeding white car leaving a residential area of lane at about 5:15 Saturday, near Atlanta Avenue and Newland Street. The officer tried to pull the vehicle over, the department reported.

The driver of the car ignored the officer's requests for him to pull over and continued to drive north on Newland with the officer in pursuit. The car ran a red light and struck another vehicle, setting the suspect's car on fire, officers said.

The two men inside the burning car were taken into custody and rushed to a local hospital with minor injuries. According to a police statement, a police search of the suspects' car found multiple freshly cut catalytic converters, a saw and numerous used and new blades.

Yonathan Acosta, 18, of Norwalk and Tyrece Sinkler, 22, of Long Beach were medically cleared and later booked into Huntington Beach City Jail on felony charges.

The driver of the uninvolved vehicle suffered minor injuries, City News Service reported. It was not immediately known if the driver was taken to the hospital.

The investigation is ongoing and no additional details were released.

Anyone with information related to the investigation was asked to call the HBPD WeTip Hotline at 714-375-5066. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact OC Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227.