Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was dealing with multiple theft charges 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 expensive auto parts that play a important role in lowering car emissions.

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

“We had been very shocked at the quantity in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier stated 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 may face additional charges.

The massive rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of 1000's of automobile and truck homeowners within the pocketbook and annoyed police, who are confronted with a criminal offense that takes just minutes to commit and is difficult to solve even if they discover the stolen components.

Catalytic converters will not be imprinted at the factory with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market the place they are chopped open for the precious metals they include.

Replacing one can cost a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in response to the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance coverage trade group that works to fight insurance coverage 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 more than 52,000 last yr.

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken notice, introducing laws designed to make it harder for criminals to unload their loot. In accordance with the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been launched this yr in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That includes Arizona, where Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in lots of instances against the law and adds detailed reporting requirements for scrap dealers that purchase legit used gadgets. They must mark the item with the donor car's serial number and retain it for no less than a week in unique situation.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 wonderful for the primary offense, a $2,000 fine for a second and no less than double that for every further time they are caught. These possessing or attempting to promote a used catalytic converter that do not meet new necessities could face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation 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 current automobiles and vans 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 helping deliver reduction to individuals immediately impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage often doesn't cover a automobile proprietor's losses. Someone carrying simply liability protection or liability and collision is on the hook for the full bill. Even with complete protection, there's a deductible that could be high enough that it's not worth submitting a claim.

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