Gunshots erupt after attempted catalyst theft in Lincoln Park – NBC Chicago

Gunfire erupted at a Lincoln Park condominium complex when a man saw thieves trying to steal parts from his car.

It happened on the 2000 block of North Larrabee Street just after 3:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

The thieves were apparently deterred when the car owner started shooting at them. Neighbors told NBC 5 that they were woken up by a lot of shouting and came outside to see what was going on and heard the gunshots.

This isn’t the first time thieves have stolen parts from cars on this block.

“It’s unfortunate and I hope action is taken,” said Kaouther Ajrout.

Her 73-year-old neighbor woke up to see someone under his Toyota Prius trying to steal the catalytic converter.

Your neighbor did everything he could to protect his property and himself. Thinking the thief had a gun, he fired several shots. The thief ran into a waiting car, which crashed into a nearby Volvo in the back alley as they got away.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if people try to steal something,” Ajrout added. “Our converter was stolen from us.”

A year ago, thieves managed to steal the part from Ajrout’s car, also a Prius. She has taken extra steps to prevent it from happening again and is advising others to do the same.

“We had to invest in an alarm and install a device to keep it from being removed.”

Chicago police are investigating and telling us that the man’s catalytic converter was cut but not removed from the vehicle. Nobody is in custody.