Recyclers partner with police to end metal thefts

Mounds of scrap metal — oftentimes rusted or jagged — define what most would call junkyards. These heaps are often towering and contain cars, appliances and any of a number of discarded items.

Most wouldn’t venture into these places without cause; to detective Mike Ollis, however, it’s just another day of the week.

The deputy has been assigned to investigate all metal thefts reported to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office in an effort to thwart the looters who plunder copper and other scrap. Those thefts, driven by high copper prices, now account for five to 10 percent of all reported thefts in Burke County. State and national trends boast similar figures.

Ollis goes to each of the county’s three recyclers, all located near Connelly Springs, at least once a week to collect purchase receipts and talk with the staff about anything suspicious that’s gone on.

He also makes sure the centers obey state law that requires them to collect fingerprints and photo IDs of those who trade metal for cash.

Ollis said the scrap yards have been easy to work with and all follow the law.

“They (recyclers) do everything we ask them to do,” Ollis said.

Just having Ollis stop by the office acts as a deterrent, said Manager Carroll McKinney of McKinney Metals. He said he’s watched people pull onto his lot with a load of metal to sell, see a police car at the office, and turn around without offloading the copper.

McKinney estimates that he talks with police once a day, oftentimes from other counties.

Operations Manager Scott Kaiser of Mountain Recycling said he works with officers because it’s ethical.

“It’s a big hassle to everyone,” he said. “It’s a shame people have to steal.”

Kaiser said sometimes thieves make themselves easy to pick out.

“Nobody brings in brand new rolls of copper unless they’re a plumber,” Kaiser said.

But Manager Lee Carpenter of A-1 Recycling said it’s often hard to spot the ill-gotten metals.

“It’s hard to prove it’s stolen,” Carpenter said.

He’s had people come into his shop, point at a particular item and say: “Hey, that’s mine.”

The three store managers all said it’s bad business to buy stolen copper — if it turns out the metal is stolen, police seize the item and the stores are out whatever they paid for the ill-gotten ware.

The three businesses are working on way to cut back on purchasing stolen metal to keep from losing money. Each has a “banned list,” which includes people known to steal copper.

Ollis is working with the different recyclers to compile a county-wide ban list that will include the people on the three ban lists and all those convicted of a metal theft in Burke County.

Carpenter said the ban lists aren’t foolproof and he’s seen convicts send their girlfriends and family members to cash in on stolen metal.

He said the efforts do seem to be paying off, however, as less stolen metal seems to be coming into the store.

Several victims don’t feel recyclers are doing enough.

George Ali, who recently had more than $9,000 in damage done to three of his tractor-trailers by copper looters, said there is little incentive for the scrap yards to turn away stolen metal.

“It’s a business,” he said, and copper is worth just as much when it’s stolen.

Gresham Orrison said new laws can make recyclers feel the pinch from buying illicit metal. The local ophthalmologist owns several empty warehouses that have been hit repeatedly by metal thieves.

He’d like to see North Carolina adopt stricter laws, pointing to South Carolina as an example.

The Palmetto State prohibits recycling centers from paying cash for scrap. Instead, the scrap yards send a check in the mail after a waiting period. They also take tag numbers for all sales.

North Carolina already requires that information when people scrap catalytic converters, and Orrison would like all scrap to be subject to the stricter laws.

“I’m not saying all recycling centers are bad,” he added. “I’m just saying there needs to be a different way of doing things.”

Orrison and others in Burke County have formed an ad hoc committee to help solve the growing metal problems.

N.C. Rep. Hugh Blackwell said the local committee has been in contact with him and other legislators.

“I have asked our legislative staff to review the current statutes,” he said, with an eye toward deterrence.

The staff has been instructed to look at other laws, including South Carolina’s laws.

Some worry that new laws could go too far — Brian Vallini makes his living off bringing discarded metal to the recycling centers. He worries that copper thieves and the laws meant to deter the thefts will put a pinch on his business.

“It hasn’t so far, but it’s coming,” he said.

Vallini’s not just concerned about his business — he fears someday he’ll be the victim of metal thieves, too.

“I think they need to be caught and learn to work for a living the right way,” he said.