Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was dealing with multiple theft costs Friday after detectives discovered greater than 1,200 catalytic converters packed into a storage unit, a case that highlights a national surge in thefts of the pricy auto components that play a essential position in lowering car emissions.

The invention followed 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 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 extra fees.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of 1000's of automobile and truck homeowners in the pocketbook and pissed off police, who are faced with a crime that takes just minutes to commit and is tough to unravel even if they find the stolen components.

Catalytic converters are not imprinted on the manufacturing unit with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market where they're chopped open for the valuable metals they comprise.

Replacing one can price a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in keeping with the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance coverage 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 simply 3,969 stories of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, greater than 17,000 in 2020 and greater than 52,000 final 12 months.

Lawmakers across the nation have taken discover, introducing legislation designed to make it harder for criminals to unload their loot. In keeping with the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been launched 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 lots of instances against the law and provides detailed reporting requirements for scrap dealers that purchase respectable used devices. They have to mark the merchandise with the donor car's serial quantity and retain it for not less than per week in original condition.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 positive for the primary offense, a $2,000 advantageous for a second and not less than double that for each extra time they are caught. These possessing or making an attempt to promote a used catalytic converter that do not meet new requirements could face a six-month jail sentence.

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

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

Insurance often does not cover a car owner's losses. Somebody carrying just liability coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the total bill. Even with comprehensive protection, there is a deductible which may be high enough that it isn't worth filing a claim.

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