Police in Philadelphia are investigating an attempted car theft after the car’s owner shot and killed one of three suspects last week. The owner, Steve Thompson, 54, was legally armed and so far, he is not facing any charges.
The attempted theft took place just after 8 a.m. in the 5,800 block of the Cobbs Creek Parkway in Southwest Philadelphia.
Initial reports suggested that it was an attempted carjacking, but the man was inside his home when the thieves made their attempt. The men were attaching tow straps to the car to try and steal it off the street.
The man who was shot managed to drive off for a short distance, snapping free from the tow cables, before crashing into a nearby school bus. The 52-year-old suspect was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead from his injuries.
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The two other men fled on foot and appeared to be armed, although what was originally thought to be a firearm left at the scene turned out to be just a realistic replica.
Students were on board the bus at the time of the crash, but no other injuries have been reported.
This comes at a time when car thefts and catalytic converter thefts are on the rise nationwide.