A Georgia man was crushed by a car Tuesday as he allegedly attempted to steal a catalytic converter.
Chatham County Police officers were called to Prestige Auto Sales at 9:15 a.m. when a body was discovered beneath a vehicle in the parking lot, according to WANE 15. Evidence suggests that the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Matthew Eric Smith, was killed by the falling vehicle as he fumbled for the costly car part, the outlet reported.
South Bound Auto Sales owner Mike Abouharb found the body, and he called police immediately, refusing to approach the deceased thief, according to WABI 5.
Chatham County records reveal Smith’s several previous arrests, according to WANE 15.
Catalytic converters remove pollutants from an engine’s exhaust. They are produced with precious metals, such as platinum, rhodium and palladium. Surging prices of precious metals makes selling catalytic converters profitable, capable of garnering $50 to $250 per unit. (RELATED: Not Even The Wienermobile Is Safe From Catalytic Converter Theft)
Abouharb has struggled to stay in business.
“Everybody thinks the car business, you’re shoveling money. But you make a little money, then get a hit like this and it makes a big toll. It’s a hardship. It’s not worth it,” Abouharb said.
There were 108 reported catalytic converter thefts per month in 2018, increasing to 652 thefts per month by 2020. Many incidents are unreported, according to Khon 2.
Two Pennsylvania men accused of being involved in 20 catalytic converter thefts between Oct. 2022 and Dec. 2022 were arrested. The duo was caught during a December sale in Maryland.