Copper Theft Investigation

Alabama Florida News 5 special investigation...copper thefts a growing problem across the Gulf Coast but are thieves the only ones to blame? Scrapyards and recycling centers who do not collect proper identification from the seller are also breaking the law

by Pat Peterson

Published: Mon, November 10, 2008 - 5:00 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, November 11, 2008 - 1:14 pm CST

On October 1st, it became more difficult for thieves to sell stolen copper in Florida. Scrapyards and recycling centers are now legally required to get information about the seller...name, address, driver's license number and vehicle identification number. Scrapyards in the Sunshine State are also required to fingerprint seller, photograph the copper and keep a written or electronic receipt of the transaction. Most scrapyards follow the law for "every" transaction.

At least 26 states, including Florida and Alabama, have passed tougher copper recycling laws, but as you'll see later in our investigation...not "all" scrapyards are the same.

"It has been difficult for law enforcement to combat the problem because of the lack of reporting requirements that have been in effect and old law," says Detective Jim Gau with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office. Gau investigates copper thefts and how scrapyards operate. He says he has heard stories about a scrapyard just across the state line in Escambia County, Alabama, and reported it to police there.

"I want them to be able to enforce the law up there and the scrapyards be accountable for doing the right paperwork. and right now, neither one is happening," says Gau.

So how easy is it to sell scrap metal? Using a hidden camera and microphone, we attempted to sell three pounds of copper to the SCI scrapyard near Brewton. An employee at SCI, who we later found out is a co-owner of the scrapyard, weighed my copper, then instructed me to go to the office for payment. I was never asked my name or address. While the going rate is almost three bucks a pound, SCI paid us a dollar a pound. They gave me three dollars, but no receipt…no record of the transaction.

The SCI employee first says she wasn't aware of Alabama's law, but then admitted she did know about it.

Alabama State Representative Randy Wood sponsored the tougher law on the sale and purchase of copper. He says any scrapyard that doesn't gather proper information from the copper seller is breaking the law.

"The dealer is supposed to be accountable and get a picture id of who they purchased the goods from, plus the VIN number off the vehicle and the tag number off the vehicle," says Wood.

Investigators in Escambia County, Alabama, say they could pursue criminal charges against SCI.

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