Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was dealing with multiple theft costs Friday after detectives discovered greater than 1,200 catalytic converters packed right into a storage unit, a case that highlights a nationwide surge in thefts of the expensive auto parts that play a critical role in lowering automobile 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 near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

“We have been very shocked on 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 may face additional fees.

The massive rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of 1000's of car and truck house owners within the pocketbook and annoyed police, who're faced with a criminal offense that takes just minutes to commit and is tough to unravel even when they find the stolen components.

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

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

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

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

That includes Arizona, where Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in many situations a criminal offense and adds detailed reporting requirements for scrap dealers that buy legit used gadgets. They need to mark the item with the donor vehicle's serial number and retain it for a minimum of per week in original situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 tremendous for the first offense, a $2,000 fantastic for a second and not less than double that for each extra time they are caught. Those possessing or making an attempt to sell a used catalytic converter that do not meet new requirements might face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal laws 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 gadgets, provide grants for applications to stamp numbers on existing cars and vans and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance coverage group's President and CEO David Glawe called it a crucial step in serving to bring reduction to folks immediately impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage often does not cover a car proprietor's losses. Someone carrying just liability protection or liability and collision is on the hook for the total invoice. Even with comprehensive coverage, there's a deductible that may be high sufficient that it is not worth filing a claim.

“Lastly, some victims even with protection might treat the problem as a mechanical issue and simply pay for it themselves and never notify their insurer,” insurance crime bureau spokesperson Tully Lehman said Friday.