Los Angeles, Ca
Pasadena man run over by catalytic converter thieves faces long recovery
A Pasadena man who was critically injured after being run over while confronting suspected catalytic converter thieves is continuing a difficult recovery months later as family, friends and neighbors rally to support him.
Mike “Mikey” Moreno, 38, suffered a traumatic brain injury and multiple broken bones when he was struck during the Feb. 12 incident outside his home on Garfias Drive in Pasadena, according to loved ones.
Moreno’s family says he remains wheelchair-bound and is facing extensive rehabilitation, while medical expenses continue to mount.
A community fundraiser dubbed “Fresh Cuts for a Better Fight — Rally for Mikey” was scheduled for Sunday at Alden Hair Design in support of his recovery.
According to a flyer shared by organizers, the event offered $20 boys haircuts, with 100% of proceeds going directly toward Moreno’s care and rehabilitation costs.
“Recently, Mikey suffered a traumatic brain injury and is facing a long road of recovery,” organizers wrote. “The physical, emotional, and financial challenges can continue for months or even years.”
The fundraiser comes more than four months after Moreno was left fighting for his life during what neighbors described as a violent catalytic converter theft.
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Pasadena resident Mike Moreno, 38, is pictured in the hospital recovering from brain surgery and broken bones. -
Surveillance video from Mike Moreno’s house shows him confronting the catalytic converter thieves before he was violently run over on Feb. 12, 2026 in Pasadena, Calif. (Mike Moreno) -
Video shows a Prius getting jacked up before its catalytic converter was stolen in Pasadena, Calif. on Feb. 12, 2026.
Security camera footage captured suspects targeting vehicles in the neighborhood before Moreno confronted them. Investigators believe he was run over and left in the street, where he remained until a neighbor discovered him and called for help.
At the time, Moreno underwent brain surgery and was hospitalized with severe injuries. Family members previously told KTLA he could face a lengthy rehabilitation process and might need to relearn how to walk.
Neighbors have described Moreno as a beloved member of the community.
“Mikey is the LAST person this should ever happen to, as he would give you the shirt off his back,” a GoFundMe created to assist with his recovery states.
The suspect or suspects responsible for the attack remain at large.
Authorities have not released additional details about the investigation, but the case remains under active investigation.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact law enforcement.
Those comfortable Fourth of July temperatures will come to an end this week as Southern California braces for more summer-like conditions and a heat advisory.
“Definitely going to be a tough week in front of us as finally we see a shift in the weather pattern,” KTLA meteorologist Henry DiCarlo said Monday. “We are going to see temperatures for the inland valleys making a run toward 100 degrees, more so tomorrow and through the rest of the week.”
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from 10 a.m. Tuesday through 8 p.m. Thursday as highs in the inland valleys reach between 90 and 100 degrees. Temperatures of 104 degrees or higher will be possible over portions of the Antelope Valley.
Residents are urged to stay out of the sun, wear light-colored clothing, drink plenty of water and never leave pets inside a hot car.
“We also have some fire concerns as we’re going to get some gusty winds going,” Henry said.
Temperatures are expected to cool slightly after Thursday, according to the Weather Service.
“We do get a moderate pullback for the upcoming weekend, but still warm and still above average,” Henry said.
One person is dead and multiple people were injured in a four-car crash near the Tarzana-Encino border Sunday.
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the crash on the 6400 block of Lindley Avenue at 6:02 p.m.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, firefighters said. A woman in her 30s was taken to the hospital for unknown injuries.
A power pole was brought down by the crash, causing telephone lines to fall into the street. Images of the crash appear to show the power pole lying across the hood of a black sedan in the area.
No other details are available at this time.
Drivers and residents in Huntington Park are being urged to plan ahead Sunday as street closures go into effect ahead of Mexico’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match. According to a traffic advisory shared by the Huntington Park Neighborhood Watch, road closures will begin at 4:30 p.m. Sunday in anticipation of the Mexico match. […]
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