Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing multiple theft fees Friday after detectives found more than 1,200 catalytic converters packed right into a storage unit, a case that highlights a national surge in thefts of the pricy auto elements that play a essential role in decreasing car emissions.

The invention followed 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 have been very stunned at the quantity in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier said 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 selling the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and may face further expenses.

The large rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of 1000's of automotive and truck owners within the pocketbook and pissed off police, who're confronted with against the law that takes just minutes to commit and is troublesome to resolve even if they find the stolen components.

Catalytic converters are usually not imprinted at the manufacturing facility with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market where they are chopped open for the precious metals they contain.

Changing one can price a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in line with the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance 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 simply 3,969 experiences of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, more than 17,000 in 2020 and greater 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. According to the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 bills have been introduced this 12 months 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 situations a criminal offense and provides detailed reporting necessities for scrap sellers that buy reputable used units. They have to mark the merchandise with the donor automobile's serial number and retain it for at least every week in original situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 nice for the primary offense, a $2,000 fantastic for a second and not less than double that for every further time they are caught. These possessing or trying to promote a used catalytic converter that do not meet new necessities might face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation can be within the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that will require serial numbers on new devices, provide grants for programs to stamp numbers on present vehicles and vans and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance coverage group's President and CEO David Glawe known as it a important step in helping convey aid to individuals directly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance usually doesn't cowl a automobile proprietor's losses. Somebody carrying simply liability protection or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the total bill. Even with comprehensive coverage, there's a deductible that could be high enough that it isn't worth filing a claim.

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