Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was going through multiple theft charges Friday after detectives discovered greater than 1,200 catalytic converters packed into a storage unit, a case that highlights a nationwide surge in thefts of the expensive auto elements that play a critical position in decreasing car emissions.

The discovery adopted a months-long investigation that started with a January tip that someone was storing stolen catalytic converters in an industrial space close to Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport.

“We had been very surprised on the quantity in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier mentioned in a police video taken Thursday as officers had been pulling converters from the jam-packed storage locker.

The 48-year-old man who police say was shopping for and promoting the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and may face further charges.

The massive rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of thousands of automotive and truck homeowners in the pocketbook and pissed off police, who are confronted with against the law that takes simply minutes to commit and is difficult to resolve even when they discover the stolen parts.

Catalytic converters will not be imprinted on the manufacturing facility with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market the place they're chopped open for the precious metals they contain.

Replacing one can value a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in response to the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance business group that works to combat insurance coverage fraud and crime. Police say thieves can get from $100 to $150 for each converter.

The insurance coverage group counted simply 3,969 studies of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, greater than 17,000 in 2020 and greater than 52,000 last 12 months.

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken notice, introducing laws designed to make it tougher for criminals to unload their loot. In line with the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been introduced this 12 months in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That features Arizona, the place Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a invoice this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in many instances a crime and provides detailed reporting requirements for scrap dealers that buy legit used devices. They have to mark the item with the donor vehicle's serial number and retain it for at the very least every week in original situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 fine for the primary offense, a $2,000 high-quality for a second and at least double that for each extra time they're caught. Those possessing or trying to sell a used catalytic converter that don't meet new necessities may face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation can be within the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that would require serial numbers on new units, offer grants for packages to stamp numbers on current cars and trucks and make it easier to prosecute thefts.

The insurance coverage group's President and CEO David Glawe referred to as it a important step in helping convey reduction to individuals directly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance often doesn't cover a automobile proprietor's losses. Someone carrying simply liability protection or liability and collision is on the hook for the total bill. Even with complete protection, there's a deductible which may be excessive sufficient that it is not value submitting a claim.

“Lastly, some victims even with coverage may treat the problem as a mechanical difficulty and just pay for it themselves and never notify their insurer,” insurance coverage crime bureau spokesperson Tully Lehman stated Friday.