Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

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

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

“We were very shocked on the amount 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 will face extra costs.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of hundreds of automobile and truck house owners in the pocketbook and annoyed police, who are confronted with against the law that takes just minutes to commit and is difficult to resolve even when they find the stolen elements.

Catalytic converters aren't imprinted at the factory with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market where they are chopped open for the valuable metals they include.

Changing one can price a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, according to 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 every converter.

The insurance group counted just 3,969 experiences 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 discover, introducing laws designed to make it tougher for criminals to unload their loot. In line with the National 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 invoice 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 legitimate used devices. They have to mark the item with the donor automobile's serial number and retain it for at the least every week in authentic situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 fantastic for the primary offense, a $2,000 wonderful for a second and not less than double that for each additional time they are caught. Those possessing or making an attempt to promote a used catalytic converter that do not meet new necessities could face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation can also be within 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 applications to stamp numbers on existing cars and trucks and make it easier to prosecute thefts.

The insurance coverage group's President and CEO David Glawe known as it a important step in serving to convey relief to individuals immediately impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage typically does not cowl a automobile proprietor's losses. Someone carrying just legal responsibility protection or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the full bill. Even with complete protection, there's a deductible which may be excessive enough that it isn't price submitting a declare.

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