Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing multiple theft expenses Friday after detectives discovered more than 1,200 catalytic converters packed right into a storage unit, a case that highlights a nationwide surge in thefts of the pricy auto components that play a vital function in lowering automobile emissions.

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

“We had been very surprised on the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier stated 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 may face additional costs.

The massive rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of 1000's of automotive and truck homeowners in the pocketbook and frustrated police, who are faced with a crime that takes just minutes to commit and is troublesome to resolve even if they discover the stolen parts.

Catalytic converters aren't imprinted on the manufacturing facility with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market the place they're chopped open for the valuable metals they include.

Changing one can price a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in response to the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance trade group that works to combat insurance coverage 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, greater than 17,000 in 2020 and greater than 52,000 final yr.

Lawmakers across the nation have taken notice, introducing legislation designed to make it tougher for criminals to unload their loot. Based on the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been introduced this year in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That includes Arizona, the place Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in lots of situations against the law and provides detailed reporting requirements for scrap sellers that buy reputable used devices. They need to mark the merchandise with the donor car's serial number and retain it for no less than every week in original condition.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 positive for the primary offense, a $2,000 positive for a second and at the least double that for every further time they're caught. Those possessing or attempting to promote a used catalytic converter that don't meet new necessities might face a six-month jail sentence.

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

The insurance coverage group's President and CEO David Glawe referred to as it a important step in serving to bring reduction to people straight impacted by the thefts.

Insurance usually doesn't cowl a car owner's losses. Someone carrying simply legal responsibility protection or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the full bill. Even with comprehensive protection, there's a deductible that may be excessive sufficient that it's not value submitting a declare.

“Lastly, some victims even with protection could treat the problem as a mechanical challenge and just pay for it themselves and by no means notify their insurer,” insurance crime bureau spokesperson Tully Lehman stated Friday.