Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was dealing with multiple theft fees Friday after detectives found more than 1,200 catalytic converters packed right into a storage unit, a case that highlights a nationwide surge in thefts of the pricy auto components that play a important position in lowering 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 near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

“We have been very stunned at the quantity in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier stated in a police video taken Thursday as officers had been pulling converters from the jam-packed storage locker.

The 48-year-old man who police say was buying and selling the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and will face extra charges.

The massive rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of thousands of automobile and truck owners in the pocketbook and annoyed police, who're faced with a criminal offense that takes simply minutes to commit and is difficult to unravel even when they find the stolen components.

Catalytic converters usually are not imprinted on the manufacturing unit with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market where they are chopped open for the dear metals they include.

Changing one can cost a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, an insurance industry group that works to combat insurance 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, more than 17,000 in 2020 and greater than 52,000 final 12 months.

Lawmakers across the nation have taken notice, introducing legislation designed to make it more durable for criminals to unload their loot. In line with the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau, 150 bills have been launched this 12 months 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 many situations against the law and provides detailed reporting necessities for scrap sellers that purchase respectable used units. They must mark the merchandise with the donor automobile's serial number and retain it for at the least per week in authentic condition.

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

Federal legislation can be within 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, provide grants for applications to stamp numbers on existing automobiles and trucks and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe known as it a essential step in serving to bring aid to individuals immediately impacted by the thefts.

Insurance usually does not cover a automobile proprietor's losses. Someone carrying simply legal responsibility coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the complete invoice. Even with comprehensive coverage, there is a deductible which may be excessive sufficient that it's not value submitting a declare.

“Lastly, some victims even with protection could deal with the problem as a mechanical difficulty and just pay for it themselves and never notify their insurer,” insurance crime bureau spokesperson Tully Lehman said Friday.