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Detectives: NC man killed when jack failed during catalytic converter theft attemp
by Annette WestonThursday, January 27th 2022
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ZEBULON, Wake County — A North Carolina sheriff’s office is investigating the death of a man believed to have been killed when a jack malfunctioned while he was trying to steal a catalytic converter.
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office said Joshua Diehl, 50, was found pinned under a disabled car on Monday near Zebulon by a tow truck driver who had been sent to US 64 and Debnam Road to remove the car.
Investigators said they are not sure how long Diehl may have been under the car before he was found, but the owner of the vehicle said she had a flat tire Sunday night and called a friend to pick her up at about 10 p.m.
Sometime after the car’s owner was picked up, officials said Diehl discovered the disabled vehicle and began the process of stealing the valuable car part.
“Unfortunately, these types of thefts are on the rise,” Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker said. “This is a national problem, partly due to the increased value of the precious metals in the part.”
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter thefts have increased since March of 2020, the start of the global pandemic, and those who become victims of these thefts face repair bills up to $3,000.
Wake County Investigators continue to determine if Diehl is connected to similar reports of catalytic converter thefts in the area.
