An Etobicoke man is under arrest and 11 catalytic converters and other items seized as police cracked a ring stealing the expensive part from parked vehicles.

Two other suspects who managed to escape are being sought in a police dragnet.
Halton Regional Police said they seized the catalytic converters, two reciprocating saws, multiple batteries and blades during their probe of the thefts.
Eight of the eleven seized catalytic converters were reunited with their owners, saving each victim thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs, police said.

Officers allege the thieves would prowl through affluent neighbourhoods at night searching for vehicles with the catalytic converters, which they would then steal. The items are later resold at high prices for their rare materials inside.
The police investigation began last May 19 after officers were called for a suspicious vehicle with three men inside in an industrial lot in Milton.

“Upon police arrival, the motor vehicle fled at a high rate of speed and, in doing so, struck a curb causing significant damage to one of its tires,” according to a Halton police release.
Police located the abandoned vehicle in the Trafalgar Road and Steeles Avenue area and found the tools and catalytic converters inside.
Through good police work, investigators obtained nine judicial authorizations, which led to a suspect being arrested on September 8.

Ray Cako, 22, of Etobicoke, has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, four counts of theft under $5,000, four counts of mischief under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and possession of break instruments.
The suspect was released on an undertaking and is still before the courts.
Two suspects remain unidentified in connection with this case. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact D/Cst. James Walsh of the 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2422.