3 in custody following Burbank pursuit crash; officer injured

BURBANK, Calif. - Three people were taken into custody by Burbank police following a vehicle pursuit ending in a crash that left an officer injured Thursday. 

According to authorities, officers responded to a call reporting a catalytic converter theft happening around 5:15 a.m. in the 300 block of North Avon Street. At the scene, authorities located three suspects in two separate vehicles leaving the scene. 

One of those cars - a Dodge Challenger, collided with a responding patrol car in the area of Avon Street and Whitnall Highway. The officer involved in the crash suffered minor injuries; the patrol car was seen with heavy damage to the underside of the vehicle.  That officer has since been treated and released.

The two suspects in the Dodge got out of the car and went into the other getaway vehicle - a Cadillac CTS, leading officers on a high-speed pursuit through Burbank, officials said.

The pursuit ended when the driver stopped near Magnolia Boulevard and Mariposa Street. That's when police said the three suspects tried to run away from officers. Two were taken into custody immediately and the third suspect was arrested a short time later.  

Police identified the three suspects as  20-year-old Fernando Garcia, 18-year-old Raybon Johnson, and a
17-year-old boy. All three were arrested and booked for multiple felonies and are due to appear in court on May 15.

After searching both getaway cars, authorities said evidence was recovered linking the three to catalytic converter thefts. They are investigating the possibility the three suspects are responsible for additional crimes in Burbank and nearby cities. 

City News Service contributed to this report.