Man shot while trying to stop catalytic converter thief in McKinley Park

CHICAGO (CBS)-- A man was shot and critically wounded after confronting a catalytic converter thief. 

A man tried to stop the theft in the McKinley Park neighborhood when the robbers opened fire. CBS 2's Marissa Perlman reports that the man is in critical condition at Stroger Hospital.

The family said they didn't want to speak on camera but were mopping the blood from the sidewalk where the shooting happened.

Police said just before 4:45 a.m. Monday, a 35-year-old man heard suspects outside of his home on 34th and Paulina trying to steal the catalytic converter from his car.

The victim approached the suspects, and at least one person opened fire, shooting the victim. 

The suspects took off down 34th Street.

It's not clear how many people were involved in the theft. 

Neighbors said car and converter thefts have plagued the neighborhood for months.

Police said no one was in custody.