Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was dealing with multiple theft fees Friday after detectives found more than 1,200 catalytic converters packed right into a storage unit, a case that highlights a national surge in thefts of the expensive auto elements that play a essential position in reducing car emissions.

The discovery followed a months-long investigation that started with a January tip that someone was storing stolen catalytic converters in an industrial area near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

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

The 48-year-old man who police say was buying and promoting the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and may face additional expenses.

The massive rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of 1000's of car and truck owners within the pocketbook and frustrated police, who're confronted with against the law that takes just minutes to commit and is difficult to unravel even when they find the stolen parts.

Catalytic converters should not imprinted on the manufacturing unit with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market the place they are chopped open for the valuable metals they include.

Replacing one can price a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in accordance with the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau, an insurance coverage business group that works to fight insurance fraud and crime. Police say thieves can get from $100 to $150 for every converter.

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

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken notice, introducing laws designed to make it harder for criminals to unload their loot. In accordance with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 150 bills have been launched this 12 months in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That includes Arizona, the place Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a invoice this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in many situations against the law and adds detailed reporting requirements for scrap sellers that purchase legitimate used devices. They need to mark the merchandise with the donor car's serial number and retain it for a minimum of a week in authentic situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 superb for the first offense, a $2,000 advantageous for a second and a minimum of double that for each further time they're caught. Those possessing or making an attempt to promote a used catalytic converter that do not meet new requirements might face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation is also in the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a bill backed by the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that would require serial numbers on new units, supply grants for applications to stamp numbers on current cars and vans and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance coverage group's President and CEO David Glawe known as it a important step in serving to bring reduction to individuals instantly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage typically does not cover a car proprietor's losses. Somebody carrying simply liability protection or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the total invoice. Even with comprehensive protection, there is a deductible which may be high enough that it is not worth submitting a declare.

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