Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing multiple theft expenses Friday after detectives discovered greater than 1,200 catalytic converters packed into a storage unit, a case that highlights a nationwide surge in thefts of the expensive auto elements that play a vital function in reducing vehicle emissions.

The discovery adopted 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 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 should face further fees.

The massive rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of hundreds of automotive and truck house owners within the pocketbook and annoyed police, who're faced with a criminal offense that takes simply minutes to commit and is tough to solve even if they find the stolen elements.

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

Replacing one can value a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in accordance with the National 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 every converter.

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

Lawmakers across the nation have taken notice, introducing legislation designed to make it harder for criminals to unload their loot. In keeping with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 150 bills have been launched this 12 months 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 many instances a crime and provides detailed reporting necessities for scrap dealers that purchase legit used units. They must mark the item with the donor car's serial quantity and retain it for at the very least per week in authentic situation.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 tremendous for the primary offense, a $2,000 nice for a second and at the very least double that for every further time they're caught. These possessing or making an attempt to sell a used catalytic converter that do not meet new necessities might face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal laws can be in the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a bill backed by the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau that would require serial numbers on new devices, offer grants for applications to stamp numbers on present cars and vehicles and make it easier to prosecute thefts.

The insurance coverage group's President and CEO David Glawe referred to as it a essential step in helping convey aid to individuals straight impacted by the thefts.

Insurance usually doesn't cover a car owner's losses. Somebody carrying simply legal responsibility protection or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the total invoice. Even with complete protection, there is a deductible which may be excessive enough that it is not value submitting a claim.

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