Inglewood police seek suspects in death of man trying to stop catalytic converter theft
Ingwood police said Saturday they were looking for two suspects killed by a man who intervened in an attempted catalytic converter theft last week.
Police said early Tuesday morning, the victims tried to stop two men from stealing neighbors’ catalytic converters in the 1000 block of North Chester Avenue in Inglewood. Police said one of the men fatally shot the victim in the chest.
In a GoFundMe post, family members identified the man as 48-year-old Juan Sanchez and described him as “a devout husband, a loving father” and “a proud grandfather.”
“He is the kind of person who always puts others before himself, the hands that provide help, the ears that listen or the smile that can brighten even the darkest days. His strength, wisdom and generosity are the foundation of his family, and his losses leave gaps that can never be filled.”
As of Saturday, more than $36,000 in support has been raised to support Sanchez’s family, with fundraising activities including a wife, two children and a grandson.
Ingwood police said the suspect was driving a golden Toyota Camry with tinted windows and sunroof. The model year is believed to be between 2002 and 2006.
Ingwood Police Department notice.
(Kristen Dennis)
Police released a leaflet containing surveillance video images and other information about the suspect.
Over the years, Southern California thieves have made catalytic converters a popular target because they can be sold as highly concentrated precious metals.
Police say “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor was fatally shot dead in downtown Los Angeles last May as he approached several people trying to remove catalytic converters from cars. Three months later, prosecutors charged four men in connection with the crime.
In 2023, the Los Angeles City Council voted to have a non-fixed catalytic converter without proof of ownership.
According to data released last year by LAPD, 2,113 catalytic converters were stolen in Los Angeles in the first half of 2024. This number does not include Ingwood or unincorporated persons in Los Angeles County.
