Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing a number of theft costs 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 critical function in reducing vehicle emissions.

The invention 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 Worldwide Airport.

“We had been 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 buying and promoting the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and may face extra fees.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of hundreds of automotive and truck homeowners in the pocketbook and frustrated police, who are faced with a crime that takes just minutes to commit and is difficult to resolve even if they find the stolen parts.

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

Replacing one can cost a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in line with the Nationwide Insurance 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 simply 3,969 reports of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, greater than 17,000 in 2020 and greater than 52,000 final year.

Lawmakers across the nation have taken discover, introducing laws designed to make it tougher for criminals to unload their loot. In response to the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 bills have been introduced 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 many situations a criminal offense and provides detailed reporting requirements for scrap sellers that purchase reliable used gadgets. They need to mark the item with the donor vehicle's serial quantity and retain it for a minimum of per week in unique situation.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 effective for the first offense, a $2,000 wonderful for a second and a minimum of double that for every extra time they're caught. Those possessing or attempting to sell a used catalytic converter that don't meet new necessities might face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal laws is also within the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that will require serial numbers on new devices, offer grants for applications to stamp numbers on present cars and vehicles and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe referred to as it a important step in serving to bring reduction to individuals directly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance often does not cowl a car proprietor's losses. Someone carrying simply liability coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the complete invoice. Even with complete coverage, there's a deductible which may be high enough that it's not value submitting a claim.

“Lastly, some victims even with coverage could deal with the issue as a mechanical problem and just pay for it themselves and by no means notify their insurer,” insurance crime bureau spokesperson Tully Lehman stated Friday.