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A man was crushed to death by a car while trying to cut off and steal its catalytic converter.
Officers found the man dead beneath a Toyota Prius sedan. Evidence showed the man was cutting off and trying to steal the catalytic converter when the car crushed and killed the man, according to The News & Observer.
" The findings on scene indicated that at some point during the cutting of the exhaust pipe the vehicle fell off of the automotive jack and on top of the male subject...a catalytic converter and the small amount of scrap value it holds is not worth the risk of losing your life." according to the post.
The man didn't live at the home but he was a local resident. His name and age haven't been released because of the ongoing investigation. Because of the rise of catalytic converter theft in North Carolina, a law was passed that classifies the crime as a felony. Catalytic converters contain valuable metals, including platinum, rhodium, and palladium, and can be sold for $150 to $200 per piece at junk yards. Replacing one can cost vehicle owners thousands of dollars.
"Nearly every community in North Carolina is dealing with a rash of catalytic converter thefts. I want to send a clear message to criminals that thefts will not be tolerated." said State Sen. Thomas McInnis