Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was going through multiple theft expenses Friday after detectives discovered greater than 1,200 catalytic converters packed right into a storage unit, a case that highlights a national surge in thefts of the expensive auto parts that play a crucial position in decreasing vehicle emissions.

The discovery adopted 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 International Airport.

“We were very stunned on 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 shopping for and promoting the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and may face additional charges.

The massive rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of hundreds of automotive and truck house owners in the pocketbook and frustrated police, who're faced with a criminal offense that takes simply minutes to commit and is difficult to unravel even when they discover the stolen elements.

Catalytic converters aren't imprinted on the manufacturing unit with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market where they are chopped open for the precious metals they comprise.

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

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

Lawmakers across the nation have taken discover, introducing laws designed to make it more durable for criminals to unload their loot. In keeping with the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been launched this yr 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 many situations a criminal offense and provides detailed reporting necessities for scrap sellers that purchase professional used gadgets. They have to mark the merchandise with the donor vehicle's serial number and retain it for a minimum of a week in unique situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 tremendous for the primary offense, a $2,000 nice for a second and at least double that for every additional time they're caught. These possessing or trying to promote a used catalytic converter that do not meet new requirements could face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation can also be within the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that will require serial numbers on new gadgets, offer grants for applications to stamp numbers on existing automobiles and vans and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance coverage group's President and CEO David Glawe known as it a crucial step in helping deliver reduction to individuals instantly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage typically doesn't cowl a automotive proprietor's losses. Someone carrying simply legal responsibility coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the total invoice. Even with complete protection, there's a deductible that may be excessive enough that it isn't price submitting a declare.

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