As the SUV’s sleeping driver awoke and began to drive away, investigators said the California catalytic converter theft victim ran over and killed the suspect who was trying to steal the said item from the car.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department released a statement to Associated Press saying that the tragedy happened Tuesday evening in a parking lot for a store in Palmdale.
Deputies arrived and saw a man on the ground, a Ford Excursion half backed out of a parking space, and a smaller car in the adjacent space.
This representation photo shows police lights as the California catalytic converter theft victim who ran over suspect not facing homicide charges (Photo by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)
California Catalytic Converter Theft Incident: Here’s What Happened
The California catalytic converter theft victim fell asleep in her Ford Excursion when the smaller car drew up, and one of the four occupants stepped out and started cutting the Ford’s catalytic converter out.
According to KCRA, the victim awoke due to the noise, started the car, placed it in reverse, and felt a bump as if she had run something over.
The California catalytic converter theft victim then abruptly stopped, ran over the suspect and left him on the ground, and dialed 911 for help.
Another suspect, subsequently identified as 42-year-old Alfredo Ramos, was underneath her car, reportedly attempting to take the converter, while three other suspects, two Hispanic women and one Hispanic man, were in a smaller vehicle parked exactly next to hers.
When the woman stopped and dialed 911, she had not yet fully backed out of her parking place.
Two of the three other suspects in the car next to her fled and made a 911 call from a Best Buy store next to the Target parking lot.
By 8:00 pm local time, authorities arrived at the site, apprehended the three remaining suspects in the smaller car, and took Ramos to Antelope Valley Hospital where he was later declared dead.
The victim, who did not know the four accused, was also interviewed by investigators to acquire her version of what happened.
ALSO READ: Social Security: US Government Reinstates The Identity Theft Bill
Victim Not Facing Homicide Charges
Meanwhile, Fox News said the district attorney’s office will be presented with the case as a justifiable murder by LASD, and the three remaining suspects allegedly responsible for the latest California catalytic converter theft incident are being officially charged with conspiracy to conduct grand theft auto.
At this point, the victim is not facing any charges. The sheriff’s office said the DA’s office will eventually decide whether or not charges ought to be brought against all persons concerned.
Thefts of catalytic converters are increasing all throughout the country. According to the sheriff’s department, the street value of a catalytic converter containing precious metals ranges from roughly $200 to $1,000.
To assist identify suspects and maybe deter them from stealing catalytic converters, authorities advise attaching etchings or labels to the converters.
RELATED ARTICLE: Oscar Myer’s Wienermobile: Stolen In Las Vegas
