How Do We Stop Metal Theft?

From to cell tower wiring to old and junk cars, thefts of valuable metals, which often are then sold to scrap dealers, is a growing problem. The cases, both local and those across the state and nation, make headlines time and again.

Last month, a Griffin man was found dead on the roof of an old Spalding County textile mill, and officials believe he was electrocuted trying to steal wiring, CBS Atlanta reported.

A few weeks earlier, a man in Rhode Island on several city streets, according to Cranston Patch.

The payoff for those and countless others accused of stealing valuable, aluminum copper and other metals: cash by way of scrap dealers, who buy and sell in the normal course of business.

WRCB-TV was the first to report a Cartersville teen's arrest in an alleged scrap metal theft that stretched across state lines.

Nicholas Lee Taylor, 18, faces felony charges, accused of taking scrap from a Calhoun business and transporting it across state lines to sell to a Murfreesboro, TN, recycling center.

Calhoun police told that Taylor and his accomplices received about $10,000 for the 8,000 pounds of aluminum molds the trio loaded onto a Penske truck.

"They were trying to get far enough away from here because the first places we're going to call to see if the metal was sold are going to be Bartow, Floyd, all those surrounding areas," Detective Lt. Tony Pyle told the newspaper.

In a separate case, another Cartersville man is suspected of stealing two cars in less than a week, each of which he took to be recycled at an area recycling center, Rome News-Tribune reports.

Following a high-speed chase, troopers arrested Blake Oneal Dutto, 27, of Pioneer Trail, who is being held in the on unrelated charges, according to the newspaper.

What type of legislation would curtail would-be scrap metal thieves without placing undue strain on buyers and dealers, who may not know they're buying stolen valuables? Tell us in the comments.

While scrap metal and recycling centers already collect sellers' identification and work with local law enforcement to identify criminals and return stolen property, Georgia lawmakers have introduced two pieces of legislation in an effort to combat the problem.

In addition to calling for numerous penalties for violators, Senate Bill 296, introduced by State Sen. Joshua McKoon, R-Columbus, would prohibit buyers of scrap from paying cash to sellers and require recyclers and sellers to obtain permits.

Senate Bill 31, introduced by State Sen. Ronald Ramsey, D-Decatur, focuses on government property, and would allow only government personnel to sell its property as scrap metal and require that purchasers verify sellers' credentials. It would also create felony penalties criminals who cause damage to equipment installed in a public building.

Georgia Municipal Association, which supports both bills, expects the introductions of another Senate bill and a House bill to address the issue.

"A coalition of utility providers, cemetery owners, local governments and law enforcement are currently working together to strengthen Georgia’s metals theft laws," its website states.

Georgia currently requires scrap metal buyers to photocopy sellers' drivers licenses, but states such as South Carolina have gone a step further. With laws effective last year, it strengthened regulations to better trace criminals and add harsher penalties, GPB reported.