Arrest in theft of Walker Porsche parts

  • One man has been arrested, another is making arrangements to surrender
  • Authorities say a part from the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT was stolen
  • It was taken off the back of a tow truck that was hauling away the burnt wreckage
  • Paul Walker died when the sports car he was riding in crashed and caught on fire

(CNN) -- Los Angeles Authorities have arrested a man accused of swiping a piece of the wrecked sports car that "Fast & Furious" star Paul Walker was riding in when he died in a fiery crash Saturday.

The theft occurred at a stop light as the charred 2005 Porsche Carrera GT was being removed from the accident scene on a flatbed tow truck late Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

"A witness saw a male exit a vehicle that was following the tow truck," the sheriff's department said Friday. "The male grabbed a piece of the wrecked Porsche off the tow truck bed."

Authorities later arrested 18-year-old Jameson Witty in Tujunga, California. A red T-top roof panel was recovered from a residence in Canyon Country. Both are in the Santa Clarita area, where the accident happened.

Paul Walker, a star of the "Fast & Furious" movie franchise, died Saturday, November 30, in a car crash, according to his official Facebook page and verified Twitter account. He was 40.Paul Walker, a star of the "Fast & Furious" movie franchise, died Saturday, November 30, in a car crash, according to his official Facebook page and verified Twitter account. He was 40.
Walker, left, and Vin Diesel appear in a scene from "Fast & Furious 6." Walker's role as Brian O'Conner in the franchise helped to make the actor a star.Walker, left, and Vin Diesel appear in a scene from "Fast & Furious 6." Walker's role as Brian O'Conner in the franchise helped to make the actor a star.
Walker and Jordana Brewster appear in "Fast 5."Walker and Jordana Brewster appear in "Fast 5."
Kevin Rankin and Walker appear in "Pawn Shop Chronicles," a film about a missing wedding ring that sets off a wild goose chase.Kevin Rankin and Walker appear in "Pawn Shop Chronicles," a film about a missing wedding ring that sets off a wild goose chase.
Walker also had a starring role in the upcoming film "Hours," which is about a father trying to keep his daughter alive after Hurricane Katrina.Walker also had a starring role in the upcoming film "Hours," which is about a father trying to keep his daughter alive after Hurricane Katrina.
The actor was part of a band of thieves in the movie "Takers."The actor was part of a band of thieves in the movie "Takers."
Walker appears in the action film "Into the Blue," which also starred Jessica Alba.Walker appears in the action film "Into the Blue," which also starred Jessica Alba.
Walker appears in "The Fast and the Furious," the first movie in the franchise. Walker appears in "The Fast and the Furious," the first movie in the franchise.
Walker and Reese Witherspoon in a scene from the film "Pleasantville."Walker and Reese Witherspoon in a scene from the film "Pleasantville."
Walker, center, appeared in "Skulls" with Leslie Bibb and Joshua Jackson in 2000.Walker, center, appeared in "Skulls" with Leslie Bibb and Joshua Jackson in 2000.
Walker and Freddie Prinze Jr. co-starred in the popular film "She's All That."Walker and Freddie Prinze Jr. co-starred in the popular film "She's All That."
Brooklynn Proulx and Walker appear in the film "The Lazarus Project."Brooklynn Proulx and Walker appear in the film "The Lazarus Project."
Walker, left, and Barry Pepper were U.S. Marines in the drama "Flags of Our Fathers."Walker, left, and Barry Pepper were U.S. Marines in the drama "Flags of Our Fathers."
 Tyrese Gibson and Walker appear in "2 Fast 2 Furious." Tyrese Gibson and Walker appear in "2 Fast 2 Furious."
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A second suspect has also been identified and is making arrangements to surrender himself, the sheriff's department said.

Investigators have asked the district attorney to consider charges of felony grand theft and tampering with evidence against both men.

The accident

The crash took place on a wide street in a business park in Santa Clarita, about 30 miles north of Hollywood. Walker was attending a holiday toy donation event for his charity, Reach Out WorldWide, when he hopped into the car, witnesses said.

The Porsche, which was one of only a few hundred made, was on display at the event, which was held at a high-performance car shop owned by Roger Rodas, who was driving the car.

Minutes after the two men drove away, people at the event heard the crash about 500 yards away, witnesses said.

Autopsy results

A one-page preliminary autopsy report released by the Los Angeles County coroner's office Wednesday listed the cause of the actor's death as the "combined effects of traumatic and thermal injuries."

An autopsy concluded that Rodas, who was driving the red Porsche Carrera GT, suffered "multiple traumatic injuries," but it was not clear in the report if he was still alive when the car burst into flames soon after the wreck.

CNN's Artemis Moshtaghian contributed to this report.

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