Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was dealing with a number of theft charges Friday after detectives discovered greater than 1,200 catalytic converters packed into a storage unit, a case that highlights a national surge in thefts of the expensive auto parts that play a essential function in lowering vehicle emissions.

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

“We have 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 shopping for and promoting the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and will face additional fees.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of hundreds of automotive and truck homeowners within the pocketbook and pissed off police, who're confronted with against the law that takes simply minutes to commit and is difficult to resolve even if they discover the stolen parts.

Catalytic converters are usually not imprinted on the factory with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market the place they're chopped open for the valuable metals they contain.

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

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

Lawmakers across the nation have taken notice, introducing laws designed to make it harder for criminals to unload their loot. In accordance with the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been introduced 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 adds detailed reporting necessities for scrap dealers that buy legit used units. They must mark the merchandise with the donor vehicle's serial number and retain it for at least a week in authentic situation.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 nice for the first offense, a $2,000 positive for a second and at least double that for every extra time they're caught. These possessing or trying to sell a used catalytic converter that don't meet new necessities could face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal laws can be within the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a bill backed by the National Insurance Crime Bureau that might require serial numbers on new units, offer grants for programs to stamp numbers on existing automobiles and vehicles and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance coverage group's President and CEO David Glawe called it a vital step in helping convey aid to individuals immediately impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage often does not cover a automobile owner's losses. Someone carrying simply liability protection or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the full invoice. Even with complete coverage, there is a deductible which may be high enough that it isn't worth submitting a claim.

“Lastly, some victims even with protection may deal with the problem as a mechanical situation and simply pay for it themselves and by no means notify their insurer,” insurance coverage crime bureau spokesperson Tully Lehman mentioned Friday.