Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was dealing with a number of theft fees Friday after detectives discovered greater than 1,200 catalytic converters packed right into a storage unit, a case that highlights a national surge in thefts of the expensive auto components that play a important position in decreasing car emissions.

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

“We had been very stunned at the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier stated 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 buying and selling the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and should face extra fees.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of thousands of automotive and truck owners in the pocketbook and annoyed police, who're faced with against the law that takes simply minutes to commit and is tough to unravel even when they discover the stolen components.

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

Replacing one can cost a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in line with the Nationwide 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 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 discover, introducing legislation designed to make it more durable for criminals to unload their loot. In response to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been introduced this year 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 instances a crime and adds detailed reporting necessities for scrap sellers that purchase legit used units. They need to mark the item with the donor car's serial number and retain it for at least per week in authentic situation.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 high quality for the primary offense, a $2,000 wonderful for a second and not less than double that for each additional time they're caught. Those possessing or trying to sell a used catalytic converter that do not meet new requirements could face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation can be within the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a bill backed by the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that will require serial numbers on new units, supply grants for applications to stamp numbers on current vehicles 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 serving to carry aid to individuals straight impacted by the thefts.

Insurance typically doesn't cowl a automobile proprietor's losses. Someone carrying simply legal responsibility protection or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the total invoice. Even with comprehensive coverage, there is a deductible which may be excessive enough that it isn't value submitting a declare.

“Lastly, some victims even with protection could treat the issue as a mechanical issue and just pay for it themselves and by no means notify their insurer,” insurance coverage crime bureau spokesperson Tully Lehman said Friday.