Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was going through multiple 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 vital function in lowering vehicle emissions.

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

“We were very stunned at the amount 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 shopping for and promoting the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and will face extra charges.

The large rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of hundreds of car and truck house owners in the pocketbook and frustrated police, who are faced with a crime that takes just minutes to commit and is troublesome to resolve even when they discover the stolen elements.

Catalytic converters aren't imprinted at the factory with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market the place they are chopped open for the valuable metals they contain.

Replacing one can value a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in keeping with the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance coverage industry 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 simply 3,969 studies of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, more than 17,000 in 2020 and greater than 52,000 final 12 months.

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken discover, introducing legislation designed to make it harder for criminals to unload their loot. In accordance with the National 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 invoice this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in lots of cases a crime and provides detailed reporting requirements for scrap dealers that buy reliable used gadgets. They need to mark the merchandise with the donor vehicle's serial quantity and retain it for not less than every week in unique situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 nice for the first offense, a $2,000 positive for a second and at the 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 requirements might face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation can also be in the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a bill backed by the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau that might require serial numbers on new devices, provide grants for programs to stamp numbers on existing automobiles and vans and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance coverage group's President and CEO David Glawe called it a important step in helping carry reduction to people instantly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance often does not cover a automobile owner's losses. Somebody carrying simply legal responsibility protection or liability and collision is on the hook for the total bill. Even with complete coverage, there is a deductible that may be high enough that it's not value filing a claim.

“Lastly, some victims even with protection might treat the issue as a mechanical difficulty and just pay for it themselves and by no means notify their insurer,” insurance crime bureau spokesperson Tully Lehman mentioned Friday.