Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

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

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

“We had been very shocked on the quantity in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier mentioned 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 shopping for and promoting the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and may face extra costs.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of 1000's of car and truck owners within the pocketbook and pissed off police, who're confronted with a criminal offense that takes simply minutes to commit and is tough to resolve even when they find the stolen components.

Catalytic converters should not imprinted on the manufacturing facility with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market the place they are chopped open for the dear metals they include.

Replacing one can cost a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in line with the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau, an insurance industry 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 just 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 notice, introducing legislation designed to make it more durable for criminals to unload their loot. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 150 bills have been launched this yr in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That includes 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 provides detailed reporting requirements for scrap dealers that purchase respectable used units. They must mark the merchandise with the donor car's serial number and retain it for at the least per week in unique situation.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 tremendous for the primary offense, a $2,000 fine for a second and not less than double that for each extra time they're caught. Those 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 laws can be within the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that will require serial numbers on new devices, supply grants for packages to stamp numbers on present automobiles and vehicles and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

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

Insurance usually doesn't cowl a automobile proprietor's losses. Somebody carrying just legal responsibility coverage or liability and collision is on the hook for the complete bill. Even with complete coverage, there's a deductible that may be high sufficient that it isn't worth filing a claim.

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