Catalytic Converter Thieves Lead Deputies on High-Speed Chase in Goleta
GOLETA, CA – November 8, 2026 — Two Los Angeles men were arrested after allegedly stealing a catalytic converter from a parked pickup truck in Goleta, leading sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed pursuit down Highway 101 and fleeing on foot after abandoning their vehicle in Ventura County.
According to Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Raquel Zick, deputies responded during the early morning hours of Nov. 7 after a witness reported seeing several people in a white Toyota Camry stealing a catalytic converter from a parked, locked pickup truck in a Goleta residential neighborhood.
Patrol deputies arrived shortly afterward while other units began searching for the suspect vehicle. Deputies farther south eventually spotted a white Camry traveling south on Highway 101 near Carpinteria.
The deputies observed the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver refused to yield, prompting a pursuit southbound on Highway 101.
The chase continued into Ventura County, where California Highway Patrol officers joined the pursuit. CHP officers deployed a spike strip on the freeway, but the Camry continued south before exiting at Johnson Drive. Three occupants then abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
A search of the abandoned Camry turned up nine catalytic converters, four reciprocating saws and a floor jack.
Sheriff’s deputies, CHP officers, Ventura police officers and canine teams searched the surrounding area and ultimately located two of the suspects: Cesar Ortiz Gomez, 46, and Marvin Angel Aguirre, 22, both of Los Angeles.
The two men were transported to Santa Barbara County Jail, where they were booked on suspicion of felony grand theft, conspiracy, vehicle tampering, felony evading, felony vandalism, possession of burglary tools, resisting or obstructing an officer, speeding and possession of stolen property.
Bail for both men was set at $75,000.
– by F. Scott Faulkner
