Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing a number of theft costs Friday after detectives found 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 components that play a important function in decreasing car emissions.

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

“We were very shocked at the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier stated in a police video taken Thursday as officers were 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 fees.

The massive rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of hundreds of automotive and truck homeowners within the pocketbook and pissed off police, who are confronted with a crime that takes just minutes to commit and is tough to resolve even if they discover the stolen parts.

Catalytic converters will not be imprinted on the manufacturing facility with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market the place they are chopped open for the dear metals they comprise.

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

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

Lawmakers across the nation have taken discover, introducing legislation designed to make it more durable for criminals to unload their loot. According to the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 bills have been introduced this 12 months 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 situations against the law and adds detailed reporting requirements for scrap sellers that purchase reliable used devices. They need to mark the merchandise with the donor car's serial number and retain it for a minimum of per week in original condition.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 fine for the primary offense, a $2,000 positive for a second and at the least double that for each extra time they are caught. Those possessing or trying to promote 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 Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau that would require serial numbers on new devices, provide grants for programs to stamp numbers on current cars and vehicles and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe known as it a vital step in serving to convey aid to folks straight impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage typically does not cowl a automotive owner's losses. Someone carrying just liability protection or liability and collision is on the hook for the total invoice. Even with comprehensive protection, there's a deductible which may be excessive enough that it is not price submitting a declare.

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