Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing multiple theft costs Friday after detectives found 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 components that play a essential function in decreasing automobile 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 surprised on the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier said 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 promoting the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and may face additional costs.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of thousands of car and truck owners in the pocketbook and annoyed police, who're faced with against the law that takes simply minutes to commit and is tough to resolve even when they discover the stolen elements.

Catalytic converters should not imprinted at the factory with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market the place 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 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 coverage group counted simply 3,969 reports of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, greater than 17,000 in 2020 and more than 52,000 final year.

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken discover, introducing laws designed to make it tougher for criminals to unload their loot. According to the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been launched this year 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 situations a criminal offense and provides detailed reporting requirements for scrap dealers that purchase legitimate used devices. They need to mark the merchandise with the donor automobile's serial number and retain it for a minimum of per week in unique condition.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 nice for the primary offense, a $2,000 superb for a second and at least double that for each further time they are caught. Those possessing or making an attempt to sell a used catalytic converter that do not meet new requirements may face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal laws can also be in the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau that would require serial numbers on new units, provide grants for applications to stamp numbers on present cars and trucks and make it easier to prosecute thefts.

The insurance coverage group's President and CEO David Glawe called it a critical step in serving to bring aid to folks instantly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage often does not cowl a automotive owner's losses. Somebody carrying just liability coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the complete invoice. Even with comprehensive protection, there's a deductible which may be high enough that it's not price filing a claim.

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