Copper Thefts Trigger Widespread Crackdown
Kathleen Haughney writes on Stateline.org:
A Texas legislator made headlines this week for shooting a man allegedly stealing copper pipes from a new home the lawmaker is constructing. Copper theft is so rampant that 20 states — including Texas — passed laws this year to try to squelch shady scrap-metal sales.More here.
As the value of copper, aluminum and other scrap metals has risen in the past two years, so have complaints from homeowners and businesses about gutters stolen, air conditioners torn apart and cars tampered with by criminals seeking to salvage the metal and earn some quick cash. More than half of the states considered legislation this year to combat the reselling of stolen metals, according to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, an industry trade group.
posted by Fergie @ 7/12/2007 09:37:00 PM
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