Sandy MaloneDallas, TX – A Ring security camera captured a wild confrontation on Thursday night when a Dallas business owner caught a catalytic converter thief at work under his van parked outside (video below).
The incident occurred on Aug. 4 outside a design studio owned by photographer Clay Hayner in the Dallas Design District, KXAS reported.
Hayner said he got a notification something was going on outside his business from his Ring camera and went to look.
“I run out there… I figured he’d run up the street by the time I got out there,” the photographer told KXAS. “And I look and he’s under there, and he’s got a knife. And I just kind of lost it.”
The angry business owner said he grabbed a light stand to defend himself, KDFW reported.
Ring security video showed that when Hayner circled around the vehicle, the thief underneath the van made no effort to flee the opposite direction.
“And then he looks at me and he holds up like a knife and I just lost it on him,” Hayner said. “And that’s when I started beating him.”
When the suspect showed the knife to Hayner, video showed the photographer began swinging his metal camera stand under the car at the suspect.
Hayner said he’s never been in a physical confrontation before, KDFW reported.
“And I just started beating on his hand until I broke it and then he let go,” the photographer explained.
The video showed that the suspect eventually let go of the expensive car part and slipped out the other side of the van and fled down the sidewalk on foot.
Hayner was right behind him but did not catch up, according to KDFW.
He said it was the third time he’d had someone steal the catalytic converter on his company van, KXAS reported.
The photographer said the thefts have caused his car insurance to skyrocket.
“I work hard to have things; have a car, travel, do all this stuff. And then these guys just come in and take it and sell this catalytic converter for like $40,” he said.
Hayner said he hoped police would track down the brazen thief, KXAS reported.
“We’re sick of this. We’re not going to put up with this anymore,” he said. “Everyone is so happy that I fought back. A bunch of neighbors came by to say thanks because I probably saved their cars from getting taken.”
Watch the incident unfold in the video below:
VIDEO: A Dallas man confronted — and beat — a man who appeared to be attempting to steal a catalytic converter from his van. “I’m leaving! Im leaving!” the suspect shouted. Police are investigating. More on @FOX4. pic.twitter.com/ymr2ARi6iG
— David Sentendrey (@DavidSFOX4) August 7, 2022
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