Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was going through a number of theft fees Friday after detectives discovered more than 1,200 catalytic converters packed into a storage unit, a case that highlights a national surge in thefts of the expensive auto elements that play a vital position in lowering vehicle emissions.

The invention adopted a months-long investigation that began with a January tip that somebody was storing stolen catalytic converters in an industrial space near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

“We have been very stunned at the quantity in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier mentioned in a police video taken Thursday as officers were 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 should face extra costs.

The large rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of 1000's of car and truck owners in the pocketbook and frustrated police, who're faced with a criminal offense that takes just minutes to commit and is difficult to resolve even if they discover the stolen parts.

Catalytic converters are 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 dear metals they include.

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

The insurance coverage group counted just 3,969 experiences of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, greater than 17,000 in 2020 and greater than 52,000 final yr.

Lawmakers across the nation have taken notice, introducing laws designed to make it harder for criminals to unload their loot. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 150 bills have been launched this year in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That includes Arizona, where Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a invoice this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in lots of instances a crime and adds detailed reporting necessities for scrap sellers that purchase legit used gadgets. They have to mark the merchandise with the donor vehicle's serial number and retain it for at least a week in original situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 superb for the first offense, a $2,000 nice for a second and a minimum of double that for every extra time they're caught. These possessing or attempting to promote a used catalytic converter that do not meet new necessities could face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation is also in the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that might require serial numbers on new units, supply grants for applications to stamp numbers on present automobiles and trucks and make it easier to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe referred to as it a important step in serving to convey relief to folks immediately impacted by the thefts.

Insurance often does not cover a automobile proprietor's losses. Somebody carrying just legal responsibility coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the full bill. Even with comprehensive protection, there's a deductible which may be excessive enough that it's not value submitting a claim.

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