Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was dealing with multiple theft prices Friday after detectives found more than 1,200 catalytic converters packed into a storage unit, a case that highlights a nationwide surge in thefts of the pricy auto elements that play a vital function in lowering car 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 Worldwide Airport.

“We were very stunned at the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier mentioned in a police video taken Thursday as officers had 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 will face further costs.

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 faced with a criminal offense that takes simply minutes to commit and is tough to resolve even if they find the stolen parts.

Catalytic converters are not imprinted at the factory with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market the place they're chopped open for the precious metals they comprise.

Changing one can cost a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, according to the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance coverage trade 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 reports of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, greater than 17,000 in 2020 and greater than 52,000 final year.

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

That includes 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 requirements for scrap dealers that purchase authentic used units. They have to mark the merchandise with the donor vehicle's serial number and retain it for not less than a week in original condition.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 wonderful for the primary offense, a $2,000 high quality for a second and no less than double that for each extra time they're caught. Those possessing or attempting to sell a used catalytic converter that don't meet new requirements could face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal laws can also be in the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a bill backed by the National Insurance Crime Bureau that will require serial numbers on new gadgets, offer grants for programs to stamp numbers on existing cars and trucks and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance coverage group's President and CEO David Glawe known as it a essential step in serving to carry reduction to people straight impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage typically doesn't cover a automotive proprietor's losses. Somebody carrying simply liability protection or liability and collision is on the hook for the full bill. Even with complete coverage, there's a deductible which may be excessive enough that it's not value filing a declare.

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