Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing multiple theft charges Friday after detectives found greater than 1,200 catalytic converters packed right into a storage unit, a case that highlights a national surge in thefts of the expensive auto parts that play a vital role in decreasing car emissions.

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

“We have been very surprised on the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier said 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 promoting the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and may face extra fees.

The large rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of 1000's of automotive and truck owners in the pocketbook and pissed off police, who're faced with a criminal offense that takes just minutes to commit and is tough to solve even when they discover the stolen parts.

Catalytic converters will not be imprinted at the factory with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market the place they're chopped open for the precious metals they contain.

Replacing one can price a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, based on 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 coverage group counted just 3,969 studies 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 discover, introducing laws designed to make it tougher for criminals to unload their loot. According to the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been introduced this yr 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 many situations against the law and provides detailed reporting requirements for scrap dealers that purchase legit used devices. They need to mark the merchandise with the donor automobile's serial quantity and retain it for a minimum of every week in original situation.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 superb for the primary offense, a $2,000 advantageous for a second and no less than double that for each additional time they are caught. These possessing or trying to promote a used catalytic converter that don't meet new requirements might face a six-month jail sentence.

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

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe referred to as it a critical step in serving to deliver reduction to people straight impacted by the thefts.

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

“Lastly, some victims even with coverage could treat the issue as a mechanical challenge and just pay for it themselves and never notify their insurer,” insurance coverage crime bureau spokesperson Tully Lehman mentioned Friday.