Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing a number of theft charges Friday after detectives found greater than 1,200 catalytic converters packed right into a storage unit, a case that highlights a national surge in thefts of the pricy auto components that play a crucial role in decreasing vehicle emissions.

The invention adopted a months-long investigation that started with a January tip that somebody was storing stolen catalytic converters in an industrial area close to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

“We have been very stunned 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 shopping for and selling the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and will face extra fees.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of 1000's of automobile and truck house owners within the pocketbook and pissed off police, who are confronted with against the law that takes simply minutes to commit and is tough to resolve even when they find the stolen parts.

Catalytic converters aren't imprinted on the factory with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market where they are chopped open for the dear 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 fight insurance coverage fraud and crime. Police say thieves can get from $100 to $150 for every converter.

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

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken discover, introducing laws designed to make it more durable for criminals to unload their loot. In line with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been introduced this 12 months in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That features Arizona, the place 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 professional used gadgets. They must mark the merchandise with the donor vehicle's serial quantity and retain it for at the least per week in unique situation.

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

Federal laws is also in the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau that will require serial numbers on new devices, provide grants for packages to stamp numbers on existing cars and vans and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

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

Insurance coverage typically doesn't cowl a automobile proprietor's losses. Somebody carrying just legal responsibility protection or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the complete bill. Even with complete coverage, there is a deductible that may be excessive sufficient that it's not price submitting a declare.

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