Man Killed During Alleged Theft of Catalytic Converter in South El Monte ID'd

Man Killed During Alleged Theft of Catalytic Converter in South El Monte ID'd
File photo of police tape. (Andri Tambunan/AFP via Getty Images)
City News Service
4/22/2023
Updated:
4/22/2023
0:00

SOUTH EL MONTE, Calif.—A 48-year-old man who was fatally stabbed in South El Monte—allegedly in the act of stealing a catalytic converter from a vehicle—was identified April 22.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office identified the man as Juan Alarcon, who died at the scene.

Deputies were called at 2:51 a.m. Thursday to the 1100 block of Thienes Avenue, where they found the victim, according to the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Detectives said authorities detained a resident who had confronted the suspect and his accomplices.

“Investigators learned the decedent along with possibly two other suspects were attempting to steal parts from a vehicle parked in the driveway of the location,” a sheriff’s statement said.

The suspects were attempting to steal a catalytic converter, a sheriff’s lieutenant told reporters at the scene.

“During the incident, a resident from the home exited the front door and was confronted by the suspects when the stabbing took place,” the statement said. “That individual is currently being detained for further questioning. The remaining suspects were last seen entering a small compact vehicle and driving east on Thienes Avenue and out of view.”

Anyone with information about the stabbing was asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous calls can be made to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or through their website.