Houston police search Montrose suspect tied to catalytic converter thefts

Houston police locked down streets near Avondale and Stanford in Montrose after a catalytic-converter theft suspect tried to flee a traffic stop and crashed into another vehicle.

HPD said it got the call around 9:15 a.m. Friday, April 24, 2026, after officers tried to stop a black Dodge Charger near Grant Street and Westheimer. The driver allegedly sped off, struck another vehicle and ran from the car on foot. In one of the more unusual details of the chase, the suspect’s house shoes came off during the escape, leaving him running in socks. A police helicopter joined officers on the ground as they searched the neighborhood.

By the time the search was underway, police had taken the Charger into custody, but the suspect was still being sought. Investigators believed only one person was inside the vehicle. HPD said the driver was tied to two known catalytic-converter theft cases, one earlier in the week and another on the day of the pursuit.

The response underscored how quickly a theft investigation can ripple through a neighborhood like Montrose, where streets are lined with apartments, restaurants and office traffic. What begins as a suspected property crime can turn into a perimeter, a collision and a neighborhood search that draws police resources from across Houston.

Catalytic-converter theft remains one of the most costly and disruptive forms of auto crime for drivers in Harris County. The theft itself takes only moments, but the repair bill can be steep and the loss can leave a vehicle unusable. Houston police say thieves prefer unattended parking lots, and the department advises drivers to park in well-lighted or attended areas, lock vehicles, hide valuables and use anti-theft protections.

Texas lawmakers moved to toughen the offense in 2023. Senate Bill 224, effective May 29, 2023, created a specific catalytic-converter theft offense and a presumption of illegal possession for people holding two or more removed converters. A Texas legislative analysis said Houston catalytic-converter thefts climbed from 375 in 2019 to 7,822 in 2021, a surge that helps explain the heavy police response when suspects are believed to be involved.

The scale is not limited to Houston. The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported more than 64,000 catalytic-converter thefts nationwide in 2022, with Texas among the leading states. HPD continues to push its Keep Houston SAFE campaign, which centers on proactive enforcement and community cooperation, as officers keep chasing the same fast-moving theft economy that keeps hitting neighborhood streets.