MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade police are investigating after they say shots were fired Wednesday morning during an attempted theft in west Miami-Dade.
The incident was reported at an apartment complex, located at 8183 NW Eighth St.
According to Detective Andre Martin, the victim heard the sound of power tools in the parking lot of his apartment complex around 4:50 a.m.
The victim then went outside and spotted two people, wearing concealing clothing, underneath his vehicle trying to remove the catalytic converter.
Martin said the victim, who was armed with a gun, confronted the two thieves before they exchanged gunfire.
The thieves then fled the scene in an unknown vehicle.
Martin confirmed that the victim was not injured in the shootout, but it’s unclear whether any of the thieves were hit.
Martin said detectives are canvassing the area to determine how many victims were affected. He said a few cars were hit by the thieves, but it’s unclear exactly how many catalytic converters were taken.
Although the victim who fired at the thieves is OK, police warn the public not to take matters into their own hands, but call police.
“If you witness a crime, we encourage you not to engage with the subjects,” Martin said.
Anyone with information about the thieves’ identities is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.