During a June 2021 bust, Kent police recovered nearly 800 catalytic converters, seized about $40,000 in cash and arrested multiple suspects after a lengthy investigation into numerous thefts. (Kent Police Department)

During a June 2021 bust, Kent police recovered nearly 800 catalytic converters, seized about $40,000 in cash and arrested multiple suspects after a lengthy investigation into numerous thefts. (Kent Police Department)

Lawmakers urged to curb demand for stolen catalytic converters

Potential changes to Senate Bill 5495 could include recordkeeping, inspections and penalties for recyclers.

A King County senior deputy prosecuting attorney testified virtually Tuesday in front of state lawmakers about how Senate Bill 5495 can be strengthened to curb the demand for catalytic converters that are illegally stolen and then sold throughout the state.

After learning information by working closely the past year with a special operations unit to investigate catalytic converter thefts in the region, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gary Ernsdorff urged the Senate Law and Justice Committee to consider technical changes to the bill that aim to shrink the marketplace for stolen catalytic converters, according to a King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office email.

“I’d like to discuss thoughtful regulation,” Ernsdorff said. “Dry up the demand for stolen catalytic converters and you dry up the thefts overnight. I encourage you to act swiftly and surely. A delay to next year’s legislative session only means that thousands, maybe tens of thousands of Washingtonians will be victimized during the delay.”

Ernsdorff laid out a plan for that thoughtful regulation, including: required recordkeeping and inspection, funded enforcement, and sure and swift penalties for recyclers who are not in compliance. He said this plan would decrease demand for illegal catalytic converters and allow law abiding recyclers to continue conducting their legal and profitable businesses.

Ernsdorff said the supply and demand side make for a perfect setting for catalytic converter theft.

“On the supply side, we have low level criminal actors who commit a very quick theft and they can net $500 for one catalytic converter,” he said. “It’s a target rich environment, vehicles are all around us – there’s no entry required so car alarms are ineffective, so this is easy pickings. The only necessary tool is a common Sawzall and we’re seeing those shoplifted everyday at big box stores.”

Ernsdorff said given COVID-19 and other issues, many judges are unlikely to hold these low level offenders for a property crime, so an arrest really is just an inconvenience.

“They are back out on the street later that day or maybe the next day,” he said. “And if a prosecution results under the current sentencing guidelines, sentencing can be a long time away with minimal sentences. So on the supply side, we have big return, and little risk.”

On the demand side, Ernsdorff said this is a big money business.

“Recyclers and middlemen make a lot of money off these transactions,” he said. “Last year, I saw a buyer post a photo on Facebook of his brand new Lamborghini, bought with catalytic converter proceeds, and it was his second Lamborghini.”

The prosecuting attorney said the recycling shops are similar to the dirty pawnshops he has investigated.

“The recyclers hide behind the front desk clerk, who is low paid, does the transactions and gives the owners – the people who make the profit – plausible deniability and a straw fall man,” Ernsdorff said.

He said criminal investigations are long and costly, and they have to prove that the recyclers knew the catalytic converters were stolen – and that’s difficult. He added there’s no dedicated funding that he know of to drive a regulatory scheme at this time. He said current regulations, and there are some, are clearly ineffective.

Ernsdorff said the key is to attack the demand side with thoughtful regulation.

Ernsdorff proposed strict record-keeping requirements, including a photocopy of valid identification; multiple photographs of the catalytic converter in order to individualize it; information of the vehicle it came off of; whether or not they are the vehicle’s owner or reseller; and memorializing every other aspect of the transaction.

He also recommended mandatory permissive inspection by an enforcement agency (perhaps the Washington State Patrol), and to require mandatory inspection of paperwork for anyone buying catalytic converters; a significant fine, $2,000; and forfeiture of any catalytic converter not in compliance with the paperwork requirement.

“And, so this is not an unfunded mandate, we need to take a significant portion of those fines and distribute them to an enforcement agency so they have monetary backing to conduct these regulatory investigations,” he said.

“I’d imagine there could be pushback from the industry,” he said. “But law-abiding recyclers are already required to keep some records, and if you can afford a Lamborghini you can afford a couple more minutes onto a transaction that’s going to net you hundreds of dollars.”

This story originally appeared in the Bothell-Kenmore Reporter, a sister publication to The Herald.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Thousands gather to watch fireworks over Lake Ballinger from Nile Shrine Golf Course and Lake Ballinger Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Thousands ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at Mountlake Terrace fireworks show

The city hosts its Independence Day celebrations the day before the July 4 holiday.

Liam Shakya, 3, waves at a float passing by during the Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett celebrates Fourth of July with traditional parade

Thousands celebrated Independence Day by going to the annual parade, which traveled through the the city’s downtown core.

Ian Saltzman
Everett Public Schools superintendent wins state award

A group of school administrators named Ian Saltzman as a top educational leader.

Former Lake Stevens City Council member sworn in to fill vacant position

Kurt Hilt fills the seat left vacant after the sudden passing of former council member Marcus Tageant.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.