Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing a number of theft charges Friday after detectives discovered more than 1,200 catalytic converters packed right into a storage unit, a case that highlights a national surge in thefts of the expensive auto elements that play a critical role in reducing automobile emissions.

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

“We have been very stunned at the quantity in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier said 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 selling the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and will face additional charges.

The massive rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of 1000's of automobile and truck homeowners in the pocketbook and annoyed police, who are faced with a crime that takes just minutes to commit and is tough to resolve even if they find the stolen parts.

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

Replacing one can value a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in line with the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance 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 group counted just 3,969 experiences of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, more than 17,000 in 2020 and more than 52,000 last yr.

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken notice, introducing laws designed to make it harder for criminals to unload their loot. In line with the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been launched this 12 months 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 instances against the law and adds detailed reporting requirements for scrap sellers that buy reliable used units. They have to mark the merchandise with the donor vehicle's serial number and retain it for not less than per week in original condition.

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

Federal legislation can be within the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that may require serial numbers on new units, provide grants for packages to stamp numbers on current automobiles and vehicles and make it easier to prosecute thefts.

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

Insurance coverage often does not cover a car proprietor's losses. Someone carrying simply legal responsibility coverage or liability and collision is on the hook for the full invoice. Even with complete protection, there's a deductible that may be high enough that it is not price filing a claim.

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