Man trying to steal catalytic converter killed by falling car, deputies say

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A man died Wednesday while apparently trying to steal a catalytic converter from a car, WSOC-TV reported.

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Deputies with the Union County Sheriff’s Office said they were called Wednesday evening to a report of a death at a home on West Unionville Indian Trail Road. Officials found a man dead under a Toyota Prius parked in the driveway.

James Maye, of the sheriff’s office, told WSOC that the homeowner found the man when he pulled into his driveway.

“He’s got multiple vehicles in his driveway and sees basically the lower half of a person sticking out from the front bumper of his Toyota Prius,” Maye said. “It appears the vehicle fell down on top of (the man) while he was trying to cut the catalytic converter off.”

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Authorities said the car appeared to have fallen from an automotive jack and onto the man, whose name was not released, as he was cutting the exhaust pipe. In a news release Friday, officials said they hoped the incident served to “highlight the dangers associated with the theft of motor vehicle parts and will serve to discourage anyone actively involved in this type of criminal activity.”

“A catalytic converter and the small amount of scrap value it holds is not worth the risk of losing your life,” deputies said.

Officials continue to investigate.

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