The Chatham County Police Department have concluded that the death of a 32-year-old man, Matthew Eric Smith, on Tuesday at a local business was a result of attempted catalytic converter theft.
Officers were called to Prestige Auto Sales in Georgia after Smith was found dead beneath a vehicle in the car lot. The evidence suggested that he had been attempting to steal the part when the car fell on him.
Furthermore, in the previous year 39 catalytic converters were stolen from 24 different locations in the unincorporated Chatham County.
According to police records the deceased had been arrested over a dozen times.
The incident took place at South Bound Auto Sales and the owner Mike Abouharb had a message for those considering stealing from businesses, urging them to “get a job” and “stop stealing” as it is hard earned money.