Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was dealing with a number of theft charges Friday after detectives discovered more than 1,200 catalytic converters packed into a storage unit, a case that highlights a nationwide surge in thefts of the expensive auto parts that play a important function in decreasing vehicle emissions.

The discovery adopted a months-long investigation that started with a January tip that someone was storing stolen catalytic converters in an industrial space close to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

“We have been very surprised at the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier stated in a police video taken Thursday as officers were 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 additional expenses.

The large rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of 1000's of automotive and truck house owners within the pocketbook and pissed off police, who are confronted with a criminal offense that takes simply minutes to commit and is tough to solve even if they find the stolen parts.

Catalytic converters are not imprinted at the manufacturing facility with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market where they are chopped open for the valuable metals they comprise.

Replacing one can price a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in keeping with the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance coverage trade group that works to fight insurance fraud and crime. Police say thieves can get from $100 to $150 for every converter.

The insurance coverage group counted just 3,969 reviews of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, more than 17,000 in 2020 and greater than 52,000 final yr.

Lawmakers across the nation have taken discover, introducing legislation designed to make it more durable for criminals to unload their loot. According to the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been introduced this 12 months in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That features Arizona, where Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a invoice this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in many instances against the law and adds detailed reporting necessities for scrap sellers that purchase reputable used devices. They need to mark the item with the donor automobile's serial quantity and retain it for at least a week in authentic situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 fine for the primary offense, a $2,000 high quality for a second and no less than double that for each further time they are caught. These possessing or making an attempt to promote a used catalytic converter that don't 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 may require serial numbers on new devices, provide grants for applications to stamp numbers on present vehicles and trucks and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe called it a important step in helping deliver aid to folks immediately impacted by the thefts.

Insurance typically doesn't cowl a automobile proprietor's losses. Someone carrying just liability protection or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the total bill. Even with complete protection, there is a deductible that may be high sufficient that it's not price filing a claim.

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