3 Men Steal $21K Worth Of Catalytic Converters: E. Providence PD

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — Three Massachusetts men were arrested Saturday in East Providence after police said they stole 14 catalytic converters from local businesses.

Around 2 a.m., police were called to the Rhode Island Truck Center on Amaral Street for a report of men stealing the converters from commercial trucks. A car with three men in black ski masks was there when police arrived, and the three men tried to evade officers, police said.

Police said the men led police on a high-speed chase on Pawtucket Avenue and then onto Route 195 westbound. During the chase, the car lost its front tire on the passenger side. The men still tried to get away on three wheels and headed on Interstate 95 northbound and then Route 146 northbound, police said.

Rhode Island State Police and other local agencies were notified, and the car chase eventually ended near the Smithfield Avenue exit on Route 146, when the car became disabled. All three men ran away, but State Police found them and took them into custody, police said. Inside the car, state troopers found 14 catalytic converters, each one worth about $1,500, police said.

Police identified the men as Jose Vazquez, 27, of Chicopee, Nathaniel Vasquez, 26, and Roberto Jourdan, 24, both of Springfield. All three face larceny, vehicle tampering and conspiracy charges.

Police said they are investigating whether the men were involved in other catalytic converter thefts in East Providence.