Pair Tries To Steal Catalytic Converter With Owner In Car: Police

CAROL STREAM, IL — Two men face felony charges after police say they tried to steal the catalytic converter from a car in Carol Stream while the owner was still in the vehicle.

Anthony Huggins, 33, of Michigan, was charged with bringing a firearm into a penal institution, possession of a stolen motor vehicle or essential part, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, possession of burglary tools and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon — no FOID card. Clinton Bigelow, 33, also of Michigan, was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle or essential part and possession of burglary tools in connection with Monday's incident.

Police were called to the Carol Stream Animal Hospital, 140 Elk Tr., around 12:45 p.m. for a report of someone crawling beneath a car. According to prosecutors, Huggins and Bigelow pulled into the animal hospital parking lot in a Dodge Caravan and that Bigelow, with a cordless saw in hand, crawled beneath an employee's car.

Police say the employee opened the driver's door of her vehicle and saw Bigelow calling from beneath her car. Bigelow is accused of getting back into the Caravan, which fled the scene with Huggins driving, a news release said.

The Caravan was pulled over shortly after on North Avenue. Police say they found seven catalytic converters in the car. Huggins is accused of having a stolen, loaded Glock 43 tucked in his slipper.

“The allegations that these two men traveled to Illinois and in broad daylight attempted to steal a catalytic converter from a vehicle while the owner was inside the vehicle are outrageous,”DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin added, “To make matters worse, it is alleged that Mr. Huggins, a convicted felon prohibited from legally possessing a firearm, was found in possession of a loaded gun at the Carol Stream Police Department. I commend the Carol Stream police officers involved in this incident for their quick response to the initial call and for their outstanding efforts in safely removing a firearm from the hands of a convicted felon, as alleged in this case."

Bigelow was not kept for pretrial detention. Huggins is being detained at DuPage County Jail. Both Bigelow and Huggins are schedule to appear in court Dec. 23.