The following is based on your complainant’s review of the reports of other officers and your complainant’s own investigation: On December 23, 2025, in the late morning, Maplewood Police responded to a home in that city on a report of catalytic converter theft. A man reported that about an hour earlier, he saw three unknown men (wearing masks and gloves) remove the catalytic converter from his neighbor’s vehicle. He said that the men arrived in a sliver Acura. He provided photographs. The neighbor confirmed that the catalytic converter had been stolen (CN 25-036144). Late that night, on December 24 at about 12:45am, Mounds View Police observed the Acura in the parking lot of [ADDRESS REDACTED], Mounds View, Ramsey County.
It had two occupants. The Acura pulled into a parking spot facing the building, with parked cars on both sides. Officers pulled in behind, with emergency lights flashing. The Acura’s driver repeatedly backed up and pulled forward, in an attempt to flee. Eventually it backed hard into a parked vehicle, causing significant damage. The occupants of the Acura fled on foot. The vehicle was still in drive, and it rolled forward into a second parked vehicle. Officers pursued the occupants. After a foot chase, one was detained and identified as HAN DO WAH ([DOB REDACTED]). The second occupant was found hiding under a vehicle.
He was identified as CHRIST HAE ([DOB REDACTED]). Neither was the registered owner of the Acura. The Acura was towed. In an inventory search, officers found two catalytic converters that appeared to have been freshly cut, as well as a power saw and multiple replacement blades, several power drills, a floor jack, rubber gloves, insulated gloves, and a face mask. WAH’s keys and phone were in the passenger side door pocket. Photographs were taken. Photographs were also taken of the damage to the vehicles struck by the Acura.
The owners were notified. WAH and HAE each declined to make a statement. HAE’s criminal record includes at least four felony convictions, including for Theft of Motor Vehicle, Assault in the Second Degree, and Threats of Violence. The theft in Maplewood and the attempt to flee in Mounds View are under investigation; additional charges may be brought.
