Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was going through multiple theft fees Friday after detectives discovered greater than 1,200 catalytic converters packed right into a storage unit, a case that highlights a national surge in thefts of the pricy auto components that play a important role in reducing car emissions.

The discovery adopted a months-long investigation that began with a January tip that somebody was storing stolen catalytic converters in an industrial area close to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

“We were 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 buying and promoting the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and will face further expenses.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of 1000's of automotive and truck homeowners in the pocketbook and annoyed police, who're confronted with against the law that takes simply minutes to commit and is troublesome to unravel even when they discover the stolen components.

Catalytic converters will not be imprinted at the factory with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market where they're chopped open for the precious metals they comprise.

Changing one can cost a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in keeping with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, an insurance industry group that works to combat insurance fraud and crime. Police say thieves can get from $100 to $150 for every converter.

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

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken discover, introducing laws designed to make it more durable for criminals to unload their loot. According to the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 bills 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 many situations a criminal offense and adds detailed reporting requirements for scrap dealers that purchase reputable used devices. They need to mark the item with the donor car'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 nice for the first offense, a $2,000 nice for a second and a minimum of double that for every extra time they are caught. Those possessing or attempting to sell a used catalytic converter that do not meet new requirements might face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal laws can also be within the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau that might require serial numbers on new units, offer grants for applications to stamp numbers on existing automobiles and vans 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 bring aid to people instantly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage usually does not cowl a car proprietor's losses. Someone carrying just legal responsibility coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the full bill. Even with complete protection, there's a deductible which may be excessive sufficient that it isn't price filing a declare.

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