Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was dealing with 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 pricy auto parts that play a important position in decreasing car emissions.

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

“We had been 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 buying and selling the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and may face further expenses.

The large rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of hundreds of automobile and truck owners in the pocketbook and frustrated police, who're faced with a crime that takes just minutes to commit and is troublesome to resolve even if they discover the stolen elements.

Catalytic converters will not be imprinted on the factory with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market the place they're chopped open for the valuable metals they comprise.

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

The insurance coverage group counted simply 3,969 experiences of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, more than 17,000 in 2020 and more than 52,000 final year.

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken notice, introducing legislation designed to make it more durable for criminals to unload their loot. In accordance with the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been launched this 12 months 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 lots of situations a crime and provides detailed reporting requirements for scrap dealers that purchase official used devices. They need to mark the merchandise with the donor car's serial number and retain it for not less than every week in authentic situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 positive for the primary offense, a $2,000 tremendous for a second and a minimum of double that for every additional time they're caught. Those possessing or trying to sell a used catalytic converter that do not meet new requirements 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 Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau that may require serial numbers on new devices, offer grants for applications to stamp numbers on existing vehicles and vehicles and make it easier to prosecute thefts.

The insurance coverage group's President and CEO David Glawe known as it a vital step in helping bring relief to people immediately impacted by the thefts.

Insurance usually does not cowl a car owner's losses. Someone carrying just liability protection or liability and collision is on the hook for the total invoice. Even with complete coverage, there's a deductible that may be excessive sufficient that it isn't worth submitting a declare.

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