Senator Christopher Connors

April 16, 2008   

Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, Senator Christopher J. Connors

Standing with members of the Stafford Police Department, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt today unveiled legislation that would require owners of scrap metal yards to maintain purchasing records for transactions involving metals. The measure is designed to combat the rising tide of metal theft in the state, a criminal trend that has dramatically increased across the country as the result of increasing prices of certain metals, including copper and aluminum. Thieves are reportedly prone to trade in their stolen metal components to scrap yards for cash.

“Because of sharp price increases and the high demand on the market for certain metals, predominately copper and aluminum, it has become more lucrative than at any other time for criminals to steal products containing these metals,” said Senator Connors, a member of the Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Scrap yards are the most likely venues for criminals to trade in their stolen materials for quick cash and also because these businesses are not required to maintain transaction records under state law. Our legislation, if enacted, would assist law enforcement agencies in tracking down criminals by requiring scrap yards to keep more detailed purchasing records. Identity verification requirements would be consistent with those currently established for purchasers of large amounts of fertilizer, including the person’s address and driver’s license number.”

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), 20 states have enacted laws regarding metal theft and 27 states are considering legislation.

“Investigations by law enforcement have been slowed because scrap yards that perpetrators may have brought stolen materials to do not maintain detailed payment transactions since they are not required to do so,” said Assemblyman Rumpf. “Failure to maintain these records would be punishable as a disorderly persons offense under our measure. Our bill would put criminals on notice as to the strong likelihood that the stolen metals would be linked back to them, leading to their arrest and prosecution. Limiting thieves’ options as to potential buyers will hopefully cut significantly into their profit margin and raise the risk factor for being apprehended enough to deter future acts of theft. We don’t wish to place administrative burdens on these businesses, but the alarming rate at which this specific crime is occurring requires established guidelines to ensure the legitimacy of records that can be reviewed, if necessary, by law enforcement.”

Rumpf added, “I would also like to take this opportunity to praise the Stafford Police Department and its efforts to alert our Delegation to the pressing need for this legislation and for providing valuable insight into the tools needed by law enforcement to apprehend these criminals.”

Assemblyman Van Pelt went on to say, “In addition to the record maintenance provision, our legislation would also require operators of scrap metal businesses to report suspicious deliveries of sales involving scrap metals. Reasons for the increased price of cooper have been attributed to new building and construction in China as well as rapid growth and development in countries such as India, the Middle East including the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and Iraq. Clearly, the growing trend of this crime will coincide with rising market prices. In light of this, immediate legislative action is needed before more businesses and individuals fall victim to costly acts of theft.”

Standing with members of the Stafford Police Department, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt today unveiled legislation that would require owners of scrap metal yards to maintain purchasing records for transactions involving metals. The measure is designed [...]