August 3, 2016
Despite attempts to control scrap metal sales, international demand has driven the theft of metals, especially copper. Metal thefts primarily occur at vacant properties and can leave building owners with substantial replacement and restoration costs. Oldham said the replacement costs …
June 7, 2016
Illinois lawmakers have convened a task force to investigate a spike in the theft of recyclable metals. There was a spike in thefts a few years ago when the price of copper and other recyclable metals rose. Copper wiring and …
January 23, 2015
Scrap metal dealers are getting help combatting theft from a new data-sharing arrangement through the Ohio Courts Network. Under a December agreement between the Ohio Supreme Court and the Ohio Department of Public Safety, a “Do Not Buy from Convicted …
January 22, 2015
Police say two brothers stole nearly $500,000 worth of sewer grates from the Philadelphia, Pa., suburbs and sold them for scrap at pennies on the dollar. Brian and John Vetrulli Jr. were jailed Saturday in Montgomery County on charges of …
October 28, 2014
City officials said thieves are making off with brass fire hose connections on commercial buildings in Hammond, La. WWL-TV reported at least 20 of the connections have been taken from stores, strip malls and other businesses. The thieves are believed …
June 5, 2014
Shiawassee County authorities have arrested a convicted embezzler as a suspect in the theft of dozens of bronze historical and grave markers, which were cut up and sold for scrap. The sheriff’s department says 49-year-old Tobe L. Holifield of Durand, …
March 18, 2014
Five years after Michigan targeted copper thefts plaguing cities like Detroit and disrupting railroads and utilities, plans to better restrict sales of stolen scrap metal are caught in a legislative fight despite agreement among political leaders and law enforcement that …
January 6, 2014
Ohio has begun testing a scrap metal sales database in its effort to curb widespread metal thefts. The Dayton Daily News reports that the Ohio Department of Public Safety is working with selected dealers to input sales information that could …
December 4, 2013
The Bureau of International Recycling plans to carry out a survey of its member companies and national associations to determine the extent of scrap-metal theft from shipping containers. Organized crime that involves stealing scrap from containers or seizing whole containers …
June 18, 2013
Rising temperatures have led to a rash of air conditioner thefts in Wichita by people who sell copper piping and other scrap metal inside the units and leave thousands of dollars of damage in their wake. Home sellers and renters …