Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was going through a number of theft charges 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 components that play a important function in lowering automobile emissions.

The invention adopted a months-long investigation that started with a January tip that someone was storing stolen catalytic converters in an industrial space near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

“We have been very shocked on the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier mentioned in a police video taken Thursday as officers had been 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 may face further fees.

The massive rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of thousands of automotive and truck homeowners within the pocketbook and annoyed police, who are confronted with a criminal offense that takes just minutes to commit and is tough to resolve even when they discover the stolen components.

Catalytic converters aren't imprinted at the manufacturing unit with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market where they're chopped open for the precious metals they contain.

Changing one can price a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, based on the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau, an insurance coverage industry group that works to combat insurance coverage fraud and crime. Police say thieves can get from $100 to $150 for each converter.

The insurance group counted simply 3,969 reviews of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, more than 17,000 in 2020 and greater than 52,000 last yr.

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken notice, introducing laws designed to make it harder for criminals to unload their loot. In keeping with the Nationwide 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 bill this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in lots of instances a criminal offense and provides detailed reporting necessities for scrap dealers that buy reputable used units. They need to mark the item with the donor vehicle's serial quantity and retain it for at least a week in original situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 high quality for the first offense, a $2,000 high-quality for a second and at least double that for every additional time they are caught. Those possessing or attempting to promote a used catalytic converter that do not meet new necessities may face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation can be in the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that may require serial numbers on new devices, supply grants for applications to stamp numbers on present vehicles and vehicles and make it easier to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe known as it a important step in serving to carry reduction to individuals instantly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage usually doesn't cover a automobile owner's losses. Someone carrying just liability coverage or liability and collision is on the hook for the complete invoice. Even with complete protection, there is a deductible that could be high sufficient that it isn't value filing a declare.

“Lastly, some victims even with protection may deal with the issue as a mechanical difficulty and simply pay for it themselves and by no means notify their insurer,” insurance coverage crime bureau spokesperson Tully Lehman mentioned Friday.