Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing multiple theft fees Friday after detectives found more than 1,200 catalytic converters packed right into a storage unit, a case that highlights a nationwide surge in thefts of the pricy auto parts that play a critical function in decreasing automobile emissions.

The invention 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 International Airport.

“We had been very stunned at the quantity 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 shopping for and selling the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and should face extra expenses.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of 1000's of automotive and truck house owners within the pocketbook and frustrated police, who're confronted with a crime that takes just minutes to commit and is troublesome to unravel even when they discover the stolen elements.

Catalytic converters usually are not imprinted at the manufacturing facility 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 cost a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, an insurance coverage trade group that works to combat insurance coverage fraud and crime. Police say thieves can get from $100 to $150 for every converter.

The insurance coverage group counted just 3,969 stories of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, more than 17,000 in 2020 and more than 52,000 final 12 months.

Lawmakers across the nation have taken discover, introducing legislation designed to make it harder for criminals to unload their loot. In response to the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been launched this yr in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That features Arizona, the place Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a invoice this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in lots of cases against the law and provides detailed reporting necessities for scrap sellers that purchase professional used units. They have to mark the merchandise with the donor vehicle's serial quantity and retain it for at least per week in authentic condition.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 nice for the primary offense, a $2,000 tremendous for a second and not less than double that for every extra time they're caught. These possessing or trying to promote a used catalytic converter that don't meet new necessities might face a six-month jail sentence.

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

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe called it a important step in serving to bring relief to individuals instantly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance usually does not cover a automotive owner's losses. Somebody carrying simply legal responsibility coverage or liability and collision is on the hook for the total invoice. Even with comprehensive coverage, there's a deductible which may be high sufficient that it is not worth submitting a claim.

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