Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was going through a number of theft charges Friday after detectives found 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 essential role in decreasing automobile emissions.

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

“We have been very surprised on the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier stated 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 additional costs.

The massive rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of 1000's of automobile and truck homeowners within the pocketbook and annoyed police, who're confronted with a criminal offense that takes simply minutes to commit and is troublesome to solve even if they discover the stolen parts.

Catalytic converters aren't 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 include.

Replacing one can cost a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in line with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, an insurance coverage industry group that works to combat insurance fraud and crime. Police say thieves can get from $100 to $150 for every converter.

The insurance group counted simply 3,969 reports of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, greater than 17,000 in 2020 and more than 52,000 last year.

Lawmakers across the nation have taken discover, introducing legislation designed to make it harder for criminals to unload their loot. According to the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been launched this yr in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That includes Arizona, where Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in lots of instances a criminal offense and provides detailed reporting requirements for scrap sellers that purchase authentic used units. They must mark the item with the donor vehicle's serial quantity and retain it for at least a week in original condition.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 tremendous for the first offense, a $2,000 high-quality for a second and at the very least double that for each further time they are caught. Those possessing or attempting to sell a used catalytic converter that don't meet new necessities could face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal laws can also be in the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau that would require serial numbers on new units, supply grants for packages to stamp numbers on present cars and vans and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

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

Insurance coverage often doesn't cover a automobile owner's losses. Somebody carrying just legal responsibility protection or liability and collision is on the hook for the full bill. Even with complete coverage, there's a deductible that may be high sufficient that it isn't worth submitting a declare.

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