CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) — A man was crushed to death while attempting to steal a catalytic converter from a local business, according to the Chatham County Police Department (CCPD).

On Tuesday, Mar. 7, officers were called to Prestige Auto Sales on Ogeechee Road around 9:15 a.m. after a deceased man was found under a vehicle in the car lot. Police say evidence at the scene indicates that the man was killed while he was illegally removing a catalytic converter from the vehicle, and the vehicle fell on top of him.

The man was identified as 32-year-old Matthew Eric Smith.

CCPD says 39 catalytic converters were stolen in unincorporated Chatham County in 2022.