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**New York Man Takes Law into His Own Hands: Stabs Alleged Tire Thief to Death**

A man from New York is accused of fatally stabbing an attempted thief, despite having no criminal history. The accused, Jacob Alvarenga Mejia, reportedly took matters into his own hands following a prior incident in which his catalytic converter was stolen.

The situation unfolded on May 13 when Jacob Alvarenga Mejia, 28, allegedly noticed three men attempting to steal the wheel rims and tires from his 2023 Toyota Highlander. The vehicle was parked in front of his Long Island home at around 1:30 in the morning. Armed with a large kitchen knife, Mejia is said to have confronted the thieves, ultimately stabbing one of the men multiple times.

The injured thief, identified as 22-year-old Luis Pena from the Bronx, later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. Nassau County Police Department Det. Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick suggested that Mejia’s previous experience with theft had caused him to act out of anger, rather than considering the consequences. Fitzpatrick noted that Mejia “stabbed him multiple times; those stab wounds caused the death of Mr. Pena.”

According to reports, the remaining suspects noticed Mejia approaching them and quickly attempted to escape in a car. Despite their efforts, Mejia managed to catch up to the last man entering the vehicle — Pena — and stabbed him multiple times in the back. Local police later found and interviewed the suspects, with sources indicating that charges against them are likely.

During the incident, police confirmed that at least one suspect fired shots as they fled from the scene. Fortunately, no one was injured due to the gunfire.

Although Mejia’s attorney insisted that his client has no history of criminal behavior, he was arraigned Friday on charges of first-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault. Currently, Mejia is being held on a $1 million bond.

**The tragic consequences of vigilante justice: Authorities must remind citizens to prioritize their own safety and trust in the justice system in the face of criminal activity.**

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