Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing a number of theft costs Friday after detectives discovered 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 components that play a important position in lowering automobile emissions.

The discovery adopted 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 International Airport.

“We had been very stunned 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 may face additional fees.

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

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

Changing one can value a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in keeping with the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance coverage business group that works to fight insurance coverage fraud and crime. Police say thieves can get from $100 to $150 for every converter.

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

Lawmakers across the nation have taken notice, introducing laws designed to make it more durable for criminals to unload their loot. In keeping with the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been introduced this year in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That includes Arizona, the place Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a invoice this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in lots of cases a criminal offense and adds detailed reporting requirements for scrap sellers that buy legit used units. They have to mark the item with the donor automobile's serial number and retain it for no less than every week in unique situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 wonderful for the primary offense, a $2,000 superb for a second and no less than double that for every further time they are caught. These possessing or making an attempt to promote a used catalytic converter that don't meet new requirements could face a six-month jail sentence.

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

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe known as it a important step in serving to carry reduction to individuals straight impacted by the thefts.

Insurance often doesn't cover a car proprietor's losses. Someone carrying just legal responsibility coverage or liability and collision is on the hook for the full invoice. Even with complete protection, there is a deductible that could be high sufficient that it's not value submitting a declare.

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