Falling scrap prices, new law curb theft of metal
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KNOXVILLE (AP) -- Authorities say declining prices for scrap metal and a new state law have reduced theft. In Knoxville, an investigator said such stealing was off 80 percent.
The new law requires sellers to show identification, submit to fingerprinting and wait five days before receiving a check in the mail.
People were stealing manhole covers in Chattanooga last year and a cellular telephone tower in Tracy City was toppled.
Police said thieves were apparently after copper wire on the tower.
Chattanooga deputy administrator Lee Norris told The Knoxville News Sentinel the manhole cover thefts would "just leave a hole in the road."
More than 30 of the covers were stolen and cost $700 apiece to replace.
Knoxville lost several stormwater drain grates.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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