Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was going through a number of theft charges Friday after detectives discovered greater than 1,200 catalytic converters packed into a storage unit, a case that highlights a national surge in thefts of the pricy auto elements that play a crucial position in reducing car emissions.

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

“We were very stunned on 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 fees.

The large rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of 1000's of automotive and truck owners in the pocketbook and annoyed police, who are confronted with a crime that takes simply minutes to commit and is difficult to resolve even if they discover the stolen components.

Catalytic converters are usually not imprinted at the factory with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market where they are chopped open for the valuable metals they comprise.

Changing one can price a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in response to the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance trade group that works to combat 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, more than 17,000 in 2020 and more than 52,000 last year.

Lawmakers across the nation have taken discover, introducing laws designed to make it tougher for criminals to unload their loot. In keeping with the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 bills have been introduced this year in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That features Arizona, the place Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in many cases against the law and provides detailed reporting necessities for scrap dealers that buy authentic used units. They have to mark the merchandise with the donor automobile's serial number and retain it for at least a week in unique condition.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 positive for the primary offense, a $2,000 nice for a second and at the very least double that for each further time they're caught. Those possessing or trying to promote a used catalytic converter that do not meet new necessities could face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal laws can be in the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a bill backed by the National Insurance Crime Bureau that would require serial numbers on new units, provide grants for programs to stamp numbers on current vehicles and vans and make it easier to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe known as it a vital step in helping deliver relief to individuals directly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance usually doesn't cover a automotive proprietor's losses. Somebody carrying just legal responsibility coverage or liability and collision is on the hook for the total invoice. Even with comprehensive coverage, there is a deductible that may be high enough that it's not worth filing a declare.

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