Two Bronx men accused in a series of Suffolk County catalytic converter thefts face multiple charges after leading officers on a high‑speed chase early Saturday, authorities said.
Investigators say the incidents happened on East Hoffman Avenue and North Clinton Street, 48th Street and 40th Street in Lindenhurst.
News 12 obtained exclusive surveillance video from a business near East Hoffman Avenue from Saturday morning. In the video, the people can be seen pulling up to the vehicle and lifting it.
Investigators say Henry Cruz and Luis Acosta stole several catalytic converters in Lindenhurst before evading attempts by police to pull them over. Officers pursued their SUV onto the Southern State Parkway.
Police deployed stop sticks, flattening the vehicle’s tires. Cruz and Acosta then ran from the scene and were taken into custody after a chase through nearby woods, officials said.
Two other people were also in the car and fled. Police say they have not been caught.
One officer suffered a broken bone while pursuing the suspects and is expected to undergo emergency surgery, according to police.
Cruz and Acosta are charged with assault on an officer, auto stripping, criminal mischief and resisting arrest.
Cruz was also charged with unlawful fleeing. After the arraignment, his attorney Chase Brown told News 12 that the officer who was allegedly assaulted was also the officer who suffered a broken bone.
“It’s our understanding that it is the same officer," Brown said. "I’m just stuck with the paperwork. We’re going to review further in the discovery process."
Both men pleaded not guilty and are due back in court on March 12.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office is also investigating whether they are connected to additional catalytic converter thefts in the area.
Joseph Muratore, of Lindenhurst, said his daughter's catalytic converter was taken right from her car.
"She went out and started the car, and it was making a lot of noise," Muratore said. "I looked underneath and I saw the catalytic converter was missing."
He added that it's not the first time it's happened.
"The dog didn't even hear them, so the last time, the dog heard them and he alerted us," Muratore said.