Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

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

The discovery adopted a months-long investigation that began with a January tip that somebody was storing stolen catalytic converters in an industrial area close to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

“We had been very shocked at the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier mentioned in a police video taken Thursday as officers were 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 prices.

The massive rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of 1000's of car and truck house owners within the pocketbook and annoyed police, who are faced with a criminal offense that takes just minutes to commit and is troublesome to solve even if they find the stolen parts.

Catalytic converters usually are not imprinted on the factory with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market where they are chopped open for the precious metals they contain.

Changing one can value a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, in accordance with the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, an insurance trade group that works to fight insurance fraud and crime. Police say thieves can get from $100 to $150 for each 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 notice, introducing laws designed to make it harder for criminals to unload their loot. In line with the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been introduced this 12 months in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That features Arizona, where Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a invoice this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in many cases against the law and provides detailed reporting requirements for scrap sellers that purchase legitimate used devices. They need to mark the merchandise with the donor car's serial quantity and retain it for a minimum of every week in unique situation.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 high quality for the primary offense, a $2,000 superb for a second and at least double that for each additional time they're caught. Those possessing or trying to sell a used catalytic converter that do not meet new requirements may face a six-month jail sentence.

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

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

Insurance coverage often does not cowl a automobile owner's losses. Someone carrying simply liability coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the complete invoice. Even with comprehensive protection, there is a deductible which may be high enough that it is not worth submitting a declare.

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