Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was dealing with a number of theft fees Friday after detectives found more than 1,200 catalytic converters packed 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 automobile emissions.

The discovery 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 International Airport.

“We have been very surprised on the quantity in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier mentioned 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 shopping for and promoting the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and should face extra charges.

The large rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of 1000's of car and truck owners within the pocketbook and frustrated police, who're faced with against the law that takes just minutes to commit and is tough to solve even when they discover the stolen parts.

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

Replacing one can price a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in line with the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance industry group that works to combat insurance coverage fraud and crime. Police say thieves can get from $100 to $150 for each converter.

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

Lawmakers across the nation have taken notice, introducing laws designed to make it tougher for criminals to unload their loot. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 150 bills have been launched this yr 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 lots of cases a criminal offense and adds detailed reporting requirements for scrap dealers that purchase reputable used gadgets. They must mark the item with the donor vehicle's serial number and retain it for at the very least every week in authentic situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 fantastic for the primary offense, a $2,000 fantastic for a second and a minimum of double that for every extra time they're caught. Those possessing or making an attempt to promote 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 bill backed by the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that would require serial numbers on new devices, supply grants for packages to stamp numbers on existing vehicles and trucks and make it easier to prosecute thefts.

The insurance coverage group's President and CEO David Glawe known as it a essential step in serving to convey reduction to folks directly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance usually does not cover a car proprietor's losses. Someone carrying simply legal responsibility coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the full invoice. Even with complete protection, there is a deductible that may be high sufficient that it isn't price submitting a declare.

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