Phoenix cops discover 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing a number of theft expenses 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 pricy auto elements that play a critical position in lowering vehicle emissions.

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

“We had been very shocked on the quantity in there,” Phoenix police Det. Adam Popelier said in a police video taken Thursday as officers have 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 extra fees.

The massive rise in catalytic converters thefts throughout the nation has hit tens of thousands of automotive and truck owners within the pocketbook and pissed off police, who are faced with a criminal offense that takes just minutes to commit and is tough to unravel even if they find the stolen elements.

Catalytic converters should not imprinted on the manufacturing unit with serial numbers and stolen converters find yourself on a black market where they're chopped open for the valuable metals they comprise.

Changing one can cost a motorist from $1,000 to $3,000, based on the National Insurance Crime Bureau, an insurance coverage business group that works to fight 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, greater than 17,000 in 2020 and more than 52,000 last year.

Lawmakers throughout the nation have taken discover, introducing legislation designed to make it tougher for criminals to unload their loot. In keeping with the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau, 150 bills have been launched this year in 36 states and enacted in 16 states.

That includes Arizona, where Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill this month that makes possession of a catalytic converter in many instances against the law and adds detailed reporting necessities for scrap sellers that buy professional used devices. They have to mark the merchandise with the donor vehicle's serial quantity and retain it for not less than a week in original situation.

Scrap dealers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 wonderful for the first offense, a $2,000 wonderful for a second and at least double that for each further time they're caught. These possessing or attempting to promote a used catalytic converter that don't meet new necessities might face a six-month jail sentence.

Federal laws is also within the works. Indiana Rep. Jim Baird is sponsoring a invoice backed by the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau that will require serial numbers on new units, offer grants for applications to stamp numbers on current vehicles 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 aid to individuals straight impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage often does not cowl a car owner's losses. Someone carrying simply legal responsibility coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the total bill. Even with comprehensive protection, there is a deductible that may be high sufficient that it isn't worth filing a declare.

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