Thieves Leave Behind Gun After Witness Disables Getaway Car: Police

NILES, IL — Witnesses interrupted a crew of catalytic converter thieves early Thursday in Niles, police said.

Shortly after 3:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 7600 block of Milwaukee Avenue for a report that of a catalytic converter theft in progress, according to Niles police.

Police said some nearby residents left their home and confronted four suspects — and one of them pointed a gun at the witnesses.

As the suspects drove away in a white 2014 BMW X3, one of the witnesses threw a metal object at the fleeing vehicle, which caused its airbags to activate, according to police.

The BMW was left disabled at the nearby intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Howard Street, and four people inside fled toward Chicago, police said, leaving a loaded gun left in plain view inside the abandoned SUV.

Officers from the Niles and Chicago police departments partnered to form a perimeter but were unable to locate the quartet of thieves, police said.

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All four of the suspects were described as 18 to 22 years old, with two wearing all black outfits, one wearing a blue Nike jumpsuit and another wearing red and gray jogger pants.

Niles police representatives urged residents to be aware that catalytic converter theft crews are "often armed and dangerous," and to call police right away if they spot them in progress.