Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing a number of theft expenses 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 expensive auto components that play a vital position in decreasing car emissions.

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

“We have been very surprised on the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier mentioned 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 promoting the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and may face additional charges.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of hundreds of automotive and truck homeowners within the pocketbook and annoyed police, who are confronted with against the law that takes simply minutes to commit and is tough to unravel even if they discover the stolen components.

Catalytic converters should not imprinted on the factory with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market where they're chopped open for the precious metals they contain.

Replacing one can value a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, according to the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance business group that works to combat insurance fraud and crime. Police say thieves can get from $100 to $150 for every 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 last 12 months.

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken discover, introducing legislation designed to make it more durable for criminals to unload their loot. Based on the National Insurance 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 instances against the law and adds detailed reporting requirements for scrap sellers that buy respectable used gadgets. They have to mark the merchandise with the donor car's serial quantity and retain it for at the least per week in original condition.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 fantastic for the primary offense, a $2,000 tremendous for a second and not less than double that for each 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 legislation is also within the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that would require serial numbers on new devices, offer grants for packages to stamp numbers on existing vehicles and trucks and make it easier to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe referred to as it a essential step in helping bring reduction to people straight impacted by the thefts.

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

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