Phoenix cops find 1,200 catalytic converters as thefts soar

PHOENIX -- An Arizona man was facing a number of theft prices Friday after detectives discovered greater than 1,200 catalytic converters packed right into a storage unit, a case that highlights a national surge in thefts of the pricy auto parts that play a critical function in decreasing vehicle emissions.

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

“We have been very surprised on the amount 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 additional charges.

The huge rise in catalytic converters thefts across the nation has hit tens of thousands of car and truck house owners within the pocketbook and frustrated police, who're faced with a criminal offense that takes just minutes to commit and is tough to unravel even if they find the stolen parts.

Catalytic converters are not imprinted at the manufacturing facility with serial numbers and stolen converters end up on a black market the place they're chopped open for the precious metals they contain.

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

The insurance coverage group counted just 3,969 reviews of stolen catalytic converters in 2019, more 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 harder for criminals to unload their loot. In keeping with the Nationwide Insurance Crime Bureau, 150 payments have been launched this year 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 against the law and provides detailed reporting necessities for scrap dealers that buy legit used units. They must mark the merchandise with the donor vehicle's serial number and retain it for no less than every week in original situation.

Scrap sellers caught with unregistered or stolen converters face a $500 wonderful for the primary offense, a $2,000 effective for a second and a minimum of double that for each additional time they're caught. These possessing or attempting to promote a used catalytic converter that don't meet new necessities 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 National Insurance coverage Crime Bureau that will require serial numbers on new devices, supply grants for packages to stamp numbers on current vehicles and trucks and make it easier to prosecute thefts.

The insurance group's President and CEO David Glawe called it a crucial step in helping bring aid to people instantly impacted by the thefts.

Insurance coverage typically doesn't cover a car owner's losses. Someone carrying simply legal responsibility coverage or legal responsibility and collision is on the hook for the full invoice. Even with complete coverage, there is a deductible that could be high sufficient that it's not price filing a claim.

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