Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was dealing with multiple theft charges Friday after detectives discovered greater than 1,200 catalytic converters packed into a storage unit, a case that highlights a nationwide surge in thefts of the expensive auto elements that play a critical role in reducing automobile 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 had been very shocked at the amount in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier stated 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 buying and selling the convertors was charged with 40 counts of theft and will face additional charges.

The large rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of thousands of automotive and truck house owners in the pocketbook and annoyed police, who are faced with a crime that takes simply minutes to commit and is tough to unravel even when they discover the stolen elements.

Catalytic converters should not imprinted at the factory with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market where they're chopped open for the precious metals they contain.

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

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

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken discover, introducing legislation designed to make it more durable for criminals to unload their loot. In response to the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, 150 bills have been introduced this 12 months 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 many cases a crime and adds detailed reporting requirements for scrap sellers that buy reputable used devices. They must mark the merchandise with the donor car's serial number and retain it for a minimum of every week in unique condition.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 tremendous for the first offense, a $2,000 positive for a second and a minimum of double that for each extra time they're caught. Those possessing or making an attempt to sell a used catalytic converter that don't meet new requirements may face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal legislation can also be in the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau that might require serial numbers on new devices, offer grants for programs to stamp numbers on existing cars and vans and make it simpler to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe known as it a critical step in helping bring reduction to folks instantly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance typically does not cover a automotive proprietor's losses. Somebody carrying simply legal responsibility protection or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the total bill. Even with complete protection, there is a deductible which may be high sufficient that it's not price filing a declare.

“Lastly, some victims even with coverage could treat the problem as a mechanical concern and simply pay for it themselves and by no means notify their insurer,” insurance coverage crime bureau spokesperson Tully Lehman mentioned Friday.