Police say two men have been arrested for stealing a catalytic converter, running from officers and then crashing their car.

News 12 has learned the crash was the reason the westbound Southern State Parkway was backed up for miles on Thursday.

Police tell News 12 officers responded to a catalytic converter theft and found the two suspects' vehicles at the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike and Nassau Boulevard around 4 a.m. 

When police tried to approach the cars, they both fled.

Shortly after, one of the suspected vehicles was found on the Southern State after it was involved in a single-car crash.

Justin Diaz, 21, and Christian Alcantara, 20, were placed under arrest.

They are both facing multiple charges.