Catalytic converter theft: Police arrest two men after getaway car crashes on Southern State Parkway

Officers responding to a 911 call reporting a catalytic converter theft in progress arrested two suspects — after, police said, one of their getaway cars was involved in a single-vehicle accident on the Southern State Parkway.

The incident happened early Thursday in Franklin Square, Nassau County police said.

Two vehicles were involved in the incident and both fled a traffic stop not far from the scene, police said. The second vehicle was still being sought.

Police said the theft, at a site on Courthouse Road in Franklin Square, was reported about 4 a.m. Thursday. Police said officers observed two  vehicles near the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike and Nassau Boulevard, where a traffic stop was attempted — only to have the drivers flee. One of the vehicles, a 2017 Infiniti with New Jersey plates, was discovered a short time later on the Southern State.

Two suspects, identified as Justin Diaz, 21, of Manhattan, and Christian Alcantara, 20, of the Bronx, were arrested nearby, police said.

Police did not release details regarding the second vehicle, the driver of which also fled.

Diaz and Alcantara were each charged with third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree auto stripping, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny, police said. Police said that, additionally, Diaz was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle and unlicensed operation, and also was issued “multiple” traffic infractions.

Alcantara was released on an appearance ticket returnable to First District Court in Hempstead on April 13. Diaz was held overnight and arraignment was Friday in First District Court, police said. No defense attorney was listed for him in online court records, and he was placed on conditional release.

With John Asbury

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”