Homeowner Fatally Stabs Man Suspected in Catalytic Converter Theft

A man suspected of trying to steal a catalytic converter was fatally stabbed in

A man suspected of trying to steal a catalytic converter was fatally stabbed in South El Monte, according to authorities.

Investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said the dead man was found in the driveway of a home at around 2:45 a.m. in the 11200 block of Thienes Avenue. He was stabbed by a resident of house, authorities said.

"While [the resident] was sleeping, he heard several people in the driveway," Lt. Michael Gomez of the LASD said. "It sounded like [suspects] were trying to steal possibly his catalytic converter, at which point he came out of the house and confronted the suspect."

Homicide investigation in S. El Monte underway. LASD says a homeowner confronted 3-4 people believed to have been trying to steal his catalytic converter. An altercation unfolded and deputies say the homeowner stabbed one of the men, who later died. Suspects are on the run @NBCLA pic.twitter.com/3rUhJqkHpR

Gomez said deputies found mechanical tools, such as a hack saw, that suggest an attempted catalytic theft was underway in the driveway. The dead man, described to be a man between 35 and 45 years old, was underneath the vehicle at the time, according to Gomez.

Investigators planned to interview the resident, who used a kitchen knife to stab the man.

The LASD investigator added the deceased man was with two to three other accomplices during the attempted theft. They were last seen fleeing the scene, heading eastbound on Thienes Avenue in an older Honda Accord model.

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Homeowner Fatally Stabs Man Suspected in Catalytic Converter Theft