Resident Kills Catalytic Converter Thief Caught In The Act: LASD

SOUTH EL MONTE, CA — A Los Angeles County homeowner stabbed and killed a man he caught trying to steal his catalytic converter in the middle of the night Friday, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

The homeowner has been detained for questioning, according to authorities. Two additional suspects in the catalytic converter theft remain at large.

The fatal confrontation occurred in the 1100 block of Thienes Avenue shortly before 3 a.m. Depuities arrived on the scene to find a 45 to 50-year-old man dead at the scene.

"Investigators learned that the decedent along with possibly two other suspects were attempting to steal vehicle parts from a vehicle parked in the driveway of the location," a sheriff's statement said.

"During the incident, a resident from the home exited the front door and was confronted by the suspects when the stabbing took place," the statement said. "That individual is currently being detained for further questioning. The remaining suspects were last seen entering a small compact vehicle and driving east on Thienes Avenue and out of view."

Anyone with information about the stabbing was asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous calls can be made to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. Information can be sent to lacrimestoppers.org.

City News Service contributed to this report.