PASADENA, Calif. () — A 38-year-old man is in critical condition after he was run over by catalytic converter thieves in an unincorporated area of Pasadena last month.
Michael Moreno, known as Mikey to loved ones, went outside after hearing a noise on Garfias Drive on Feb. 12, friends said.
Friend Nick Narevsky said Moreno found someone stealing his catalytic converter and confronted the thieves.
“Basically, they ran him over,” Narevsky told Eyewitness News.
Friends said the attack left Moreno with severe injuries.
“The extent of his injuries between the brain injury, the scarring on his legs, both ankles are broken. He took a hit,” friend Dean Brooks said.
Moreno, known for his big smile and even bigger heart, underwent emergency brain surgery and remains in critical condition.
Detectives are reviewing surveillance video and investigating reports that other vehicles were targeted in the neighborhood.
Narevsky said the thieves appeared prepared.
“They had scouted out the house, they had scouted out the car, they had scouted out the vehicle,” Narevsky said. “They attacked. They were ruthless about what they did. They just do not care about human life.”
As Moreno fights to recover, his loved ones are urging anyone with information to come forward.
“Please step up and say something. If they knew Mikey, they wouldn’t allow this to happen,” Brooks said.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help Moreno in his long road to recovery.
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