Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing multiple theft fees Friday after detectives found 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 elements that play a vital function in lowering vehicle emissions.

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

“We were very shocked at the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier said 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 selling the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and may face extra expenses.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of 1000's of car and truck owners in the pocketbook and annoyed police, who're faced with against the law that takes simply minutes to commit and is troublesome to resolve even if they discover the stolen components.

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

Changing one can price a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in keeping with the Nationwide Insurance 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 each 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 throughout the nation have taken notice, introducing legislation designed to make it tougher for criminals to unload their loot. According to the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been introduced 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 lots of instances against the law and adds detailed reporting necessities for scrap dealers that purchase legit used gadgets. They have to mark the merchandise with the donor vehicle's serial number and retain it for at the very least every week in original condition.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 high-quality for the primary offense, a $2,000 high quality for a second and at the least 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 necessities might face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation is also within the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a bill backed by the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau that may require serial numbers on new devices, offer grants for packages to stamp numbers on current vehicles and vans and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe referred to as it a essential step in serving to convey aid to folks immediately impacted by the thefts.

Insurance often doesn't cover a car proprietor's losses. Somebody carrying just legal responsibility coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the total invoice. Even with complete coverage, there's a deductible which may be high sufficient that it isn't value submitting a claim.

“Lastly, some victims even with protection could deal with the problem as a mechanical concern and simply pay for it themselves and never notify their insurer,” insurance crime bureau spokesperson Tully Lehman mentioned Friday.