Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing multiple theft fees 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 pricy auto parts that play a essential position in reducing vehicle emissions.

The invention adopted 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 were very stunned at the quantity in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier stated 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 should face additional costs.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of 1000's of car and truck homeowners in the pocketbook and pissed off police, who're faced with a crime that takes just minutes to commit and is tough to solve even if they find the stolen components.

Catalytic converters will not be imprinted on the manufacturing facility with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market where they're chopped open for the dear metals they comprise.

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

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

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken notice, introducing legislation designed to make it harder for criminals to unload their loot. In accordance with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been introduced this yr in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That includes Arizona, where Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a invoice this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in many cases a crime and provides detailed reporting requirements for scrap sellers that buy authentic used units. They must mark the merchandise with the donor car's serial number and retain it for not less than every week in unique condition.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 fine for the first offense, a $2,000 positive for a second and not less than double that for every extra time they are caught. Those possessing or attempting to promote a used catalytic converter that do not meet new requirements could face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal laws can be within the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the National Insurance Crime Bureau that might require serial numbers on new gadgets, supply grants for programs to stamp numbers on existing cars and trucks and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

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

Insurance usually doesn't cowl a car owner's losses. Somebody carrying just legal responsibility protection or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the complete bill. Even with complete protection, there is a deductible that may be excessive enough that it's not worth filing a claim.

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