Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing a number of theft prices 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 elements that play a important role in lowering car emissions.

The discovery adopted a months-long investigation that began with a January tip that somebody was storing stolen catalytic converters in an industrial area near Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport.

“We were very surprised at the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier said in a police video taken Thursday as officers have 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 massive rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of thousands of automobile and truck owners in the pocketbook and annoyed police, who're faced with against the law that takes simply minutes to commit and is difficult to resolve even when they discover the stolen parts.

Catalytic converters are not imprinted at the manufacturing unit with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market the place they're chopped open for the valuable metals they include.

Changing one can value a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in line with the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau, an insurance coverage industry 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 simply 3,969 reports of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, greater than 17,000 in 2020 and more than 52,000 last year.

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

That features Arizona, where Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in lots of situations against the law and adds detailed reporting necessities for scrap sellers that purchase respectable used devices. They have to mark the merchandise with the donor vehicle's serial number and retain it for not less than per week in original situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 positive for the primary offense, a $2,000 high quality for a second and at least double that for every further time they're caught. Those possessing or attempting to promote a used catalytic converter that do not meet new requirements may face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation can also be in the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau that may require serial numbers on new units, offer grants for packages to stamp numbers on existing cars and trucks and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe called it a critical step in helping bring reduction to people instantly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage usually doesn't cowl a automotive owner's losses. Somebody carrying just liability protection or liability and collision is on the hook for the full invoice. Even with comprehensive coverage, there is a deductible that may be excessive enough that it's not worth submitting a declare.

“Lastly, some victims even with coverage might treat the issue as a mechanical concern and simply pay for it themselves and by no means notify their insurer,” insurance crime bureau spokesperson Tully Lehman stated Friday.