Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was going through multiple theft fees Friday after detectives discovered more than 1,200 catalytic converters packed right into a storage unit, a case that highlights a nationwide surge in thefts of the pricy auto components that play a crucial position in decreasing 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 close to Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport.

“We were very shocked on the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier stated 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 shopping for and promoting the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and will face further costs.

The large rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of hundreds of automobile and truck owners in the pocketbook and annoyed police, who are confronted with a criminal offense that takes just minutes to commit and is difficult to solve even when they discover the stolen elements.

Catalytic converters are usually not imprinted at the manufacturing facility with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market the place they are chopped open for the precious metals they comprise.

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

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

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken notice, introducing legislation designed to make it more durable for criminals to unload their loot. Based on the Nationwide 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 many instances against the law and provides detailed reporting necessities for scrap sellers that buy official used gadgets. They have to mark the merchandise with the donor car's serial number and retain it for at the least a week in authentic condition.

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

Federal legislation can also be 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 present cars and vehicles and make it easier to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe referred to as it a critical step in helping bring aid to folks immediately impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage often doesn't cover a automotive owner's losses. Somebody carrying just legal responsibility coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the total invoice. Even with complete coverage, there is a deductible which may be excessive enough that it is not value filing a declare.

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