Catalytic Converter Thief Assaulted Police Officer: West Haven PD

WEST HAVEN, CT — A man is accused of trying to carjack a tow truck driver and assaulting a police officer after stealing a catalytic converter from a vehicle in the West Haven High School parking lot on Wednesday afternoon, according to police.

The West Haven High School Resource Officer reported to dispatch around 1:20 p.m. that a Hyundai Elantra occupied by two men had just entered the school lot and removed a catalytic converter from a vehicle, according to police.

“The vehicle then fled the school grounds and continued to Main Street where they attempted to remove another catalytic converter but were interrupted by a Detective Sergeant who observed them,” police wrote in a news release. “The vehicle then fled and additional patrol units flooded the area. The operator ultimately lost control of the vehicle and struck a parked car on First Avenue by Elm Street.”

Both occupants, later identified as Charlie Martinez-Rojas and Emmanuel Luna, got out of the vehicle and started to leave, according to police.

Police said Luna, who was still in possession of his Sawzall, tried to carjack a tow truck driver. After failing at that, police said he turned and began assaulting an officer who was trying to arrest him.

Martinez-Rojas was found a short time later in a nearby yard, according to police.

Luna was arrested on charges of second-degree criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools, criminal attempt at robbery by carjacking, interfering with an officer, assault on a public safety officer, and third-degree strangulation.

Martinez-Rojas was charged interfering with an officer, second-degree criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools, two counts of evading responsibility, operating a vehicle without insurance, operating a vehicle without a license, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle on a sidewalk.

Police said Martinez-Rojas is currently on federal probation stemming from an attempted murder charge in Puerto Rico.