Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing a number of theft fees Friday after detectives discovered greater 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 essential role in decreasing car emissions.

The invention followed a months-long investigation that started with a January tip that someone was storing stolen catalytic converters in an industrial space near Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport.

“We have been very shocked at 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 buying and promoting the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and should face further fees.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of thousands of automotive and truck homeowners within the pocketbook and frustrated police, who're confronted with against the law that takes just minutes to commit and is difficult to solve even if they find the stolen elements.

Catalytic converters will not be imprinted at the manufacturing facility with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market the place they are chopped open for the precious metals they comprise.

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

The insurance group counted just 3,969 reports of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, greater than 17,000 in 2020 and more than 52,000 last year.

Lawmakers across the nation have taken discover, introducing laws designed to make it tougher for criminals to unload their loot. In keeping with the National Insurance 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 a criminal offense and adds detailed reporting requirements for scrap sellers that purchase reliable used units. They have to mark the merchandise with the donor car's serial quantity and retain it for at the very least every week in authentic situation.

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

Federal legislation can be in the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a bill backed by the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that would require serial numbers on new units, offer grants for programs to stamp numbers on current vehicles and trucks and make it easier to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe referred to as it a important step in helping deliver reduction to individuals directly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage usually doesn't cover a automobile proprietor's losses. Somebody carrying simply legal responsibility protection or liability and collision is on the hook for the complete invoice. Even with comprehensive coverage, there's a deductible which may be excessive sufficient that it isn't price filing a claim.

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