Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was dealing with multiple theft charges 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 parts that play a critical role in lowering vehicle emissions.

The discovery adopted 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 International Airport.

“We were very surprised on the amount 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 buying and selling the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and may face extra costs.

The large rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of 1000's of automotive and truck house owners in the pocketbook and annoyed police, who're faced with against the law that takes just minutes to commit and is difficult to unravel even when they find the stolen parts.

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

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

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

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

That features Arizona, where Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in many instances a criminal offense and adds detailed reporting necessities for scrap sellers that buy legitimate used devices. They must mark the merchandise with the donor car's serial quantity and retain it for at least every week in original condition.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 superb for the first offense, a $2,000 superb for a second and not less than double that for every extra time they're caught. Those possessing or attempting to sell a used catalytic converter that don't meet new necessities might face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation can be within 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 devices, supply grants for programs to stamp numbers on present vehicles and trucks and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

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

Insurance coverage typically doesn't cowl a automotive proprietor's losses. Someone carrying just legal responsibility coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the full bill. Even with comprehensive protection, there is a deductible that could be high enough that it is not value submitting a claim.

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