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 discovered 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 essential function in reducing automobile emissions.

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

“We were very shocked at the amount 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 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 1000's of automobile and truck owners in the pocketbook and annoyed police, who are faced with a crime that takes just minutes to commit and is troublesome to unravel even if they discover the stolen components.

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

Changing one can cost a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, according to the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance coverage 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 reviews of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, greater than 17,000 in 2020 and more than 52,000 last 12 months.

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken notice, introducing laws designed to make it more durable for criminals to unload their loot. In response to the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 bills have been introduced this 12 months in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That includes Arizona, the place Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill 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 legitimate used gadgets. They must mark the merchandise with the donor vehicle's serial quantity and retain it for no less than per week in unique condition.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 effective for the primary offense, a $2,000 positive for a second and not less than double that for each extra time they're caught. Those possessing or trying to sell a used catalytic converter that don't meet new necessities might face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation is also in the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that might require serial numbers on new units, provide grants for packages to stamp numbers on existing vehicles and vans and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe called it a critical step in helping deliver reduction to folks straight impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage often doesn't cover a automotive owner's losses. Somebody carrying simply legal responsibility coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the full invoice. Even with complete coverage, there is a deductible that may be high sufficient that it is not value submitting a claim.

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