MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Police are investigating an attempted catalytic converter theft that turned into a knife attack in Milford early Tuesday morning.

A man who lives on Concord Avenue went outside after he said he heard what sounded like a grinding noise in his driveway around 2 a.m., police said. He told police someone then slashed his face with a knife.

The suspect is described as a tall, thin man, wearing all black and a black face mask, according to police. The suspect fled the area in what is believed to be a silver sedan. 

The victim was taken to a hospital for what police described as a non-life-threatening but significant injury.

“As a reminder, we urge all citizens to refrain from confronting criminal suspects,” Milford police said in a statement. “Call 911 and stay on the line with the public safety dispatch center offering play-by-play of what you see, from a safe and concealed place. That way, our officers can be as well informed as possible when they enter the area and know exactly what to look for.”

Greg Galik, the owner of Auto Works of Devon, an auto shop at the entrance of Concord Avenue, tells News 8 police came by Tuesday saying they received reports that the same car was scoping out the area. 

He said it was not the first time thieves have hit this street. 

“We got broken into once when they tried to steal some cars,” he said. “They like this neighborhood because it’s easy on, easy off for the highway.”

Galik said his shop can install metal plates underneath cars to prevent catalytic converter thefts. 

“The protection devices go up underneath to kind of block this area and if they can’t do it in two minutes, they’re going to move onto an easier target.”

New catalytic converter legislation goes into effect on July 1. Anyone trying to sell a catalytic converter to a scrap yard must present documentation to prove that it’s theirs or that they legally purchased it. Officials are hoping it slows down theft. 

“There’s always the back door which is going to be hard to stop and I don’t know if other states are following suit with Connecticut or not. But as long as they get tougher. If they don’t have a place to bring them then that’ll slow it down,” Galik said.

Anyone with information can contact Det. Mahoney at rmahoney@milfordct.gov or (203) 783-4727.