A Couple Of Thugs Try To Steal Catalytic Converter, Truck Owner Lights Them Up With Paintballs

TURLOCK, Calif. — An apparent catalytic converter theft was thwarted after the would-be thieves were chased off by a Turlock family wielding paintball guns.

The brazen attempt happened Oct. 4 just before 12:30 p.m. Turlock Police spokesperson Sgt. Mike Parmley said two men were trying to take the catalytic converter from the family's 2000 Ford Excursion.

Citing a report from the family, Parmley said it was the seventh attempt the family had dealt with.

Video of the incident appears to show two men going underneath the car and sawing into the catalytic converter before being momentarily startled by the car alarm. However, after the alarm turns off, they go back under the car to finish the job but they don't get much further before the family intervenes.

The two suspected thieves are seen hustling out from under the car and chased by the family, who were wielding their paintball guns.

Police said the two suspects appear to have been hit with paintballs while they were running to a waiting red car, driven by an unknown third person.