Posted on 03/17/2023 1:47:25 PM PDT by grundle
OAKLAND, Calif. - A Vacaville man was killed while allegedly stealing a catalytic converter in Oakland, according to police and media reports.
The coroner on Wednesday identified the man as 35-year-old Eric Chabot.
Oakland police said that on March 10 about 3 a.m., he was found underneath a car "committing a crime at the time of their death" in the 400 block of Lagunitas Avenue near Lake Merritt.
The East Bay Times reported he was trying to steal a catalytic converter from a parked Prius nearby.
Authorities told the news organization that it seems like the carjack Chabot was using malfunctioned causing the Prius to slip and crush him. A backpack containing cutting tools was found near him, authorities said.
The converter was still intact, police said.
A growing number of people have been crushed to death while trying to steal catalytic converters in the past few years.
One death happened in Berkeley in March 2020, another in Anaheim in March 2021, another occurred in Palmdale last month and a third occurred this month in Savannah, Georgia.
Anyone with information should call the OPD Criminal Investigations Division at (510)238-3326.
I’m surprised that the common annunciation of the item of theft hasn’t been mentioned yet.
That would be ‘Cadillac Convertor’
FINAL: Converter 1, Chabot 0
Honestly wish it occurred far more often. Maybe it would cause them to think twice about it if it was far more likely to lose their lives over it.
Also wouldn’t mind if there was some lethal deterrent for those going into stores and ransacking the place and walking out with carts full of unpaid items.
Have you been injured or has a loved one or family member been killed or injured in a jack accident while stealing a catalytic converter? Well if so the Law Offices of Syster, Briefcake, Saul and Lawfin are standing by ready to fight for what you deserve!
You realize, of course, that the excerpt you cited was merely the second bit of happy news in the article, don’t you?
I know those guys are good, but I've got to go with Cozen, Diddle, and Dupe.
Karma can be a double-bladed bitch with PMS and a bad attitude.
My money says “Harbor Freight”
Why Harbor Freight? With no extra effort you can shop lift and get the best?
Lol…thanks for the Friday afternoon chuckle!
72 posts and not one person posited that the jack failure may have had an assist.
I wonder how painful this is for the flattened thief? Is there an audio recording?
I wonder how long the owner of the car has to wait before the cops will let him drive away. It could ruin most of a day.
Pikers.
I always give this sort of business to my trusty standbys Dewey, Cheatham & Howe.
LOL!!! ;^)
You know, if you live in an urban area, you could print this article and tape it to the inside of each rear window with a note above in red stating: “Important Notice”. Or have it printed on magnetic signs and affix one to each of the rear side panels.
Of course, that is assuming the thugs can read (or the signs aren’t stolen). But, an illustrative picture could be included.
Last thought:
I shoulda stole a better jack.
Aww... Shucks!
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