Eight scrap yard workers arrested in copper sting

By MICHAEL A. MOHAMMED
Published July 20, 2007

TAMPA - Police arrested eight scrap yard workers on felony charges Thursday morning after a sting caught them buying stolen metal.

A sharp increase in copper thefts, spurred by rising prices, prompted the operation, authorities said. Thieves routinely cause thousands of dollars in damage when they rip parts from air conditioners and wires from building walls.

"They'll take a $5,000 air-conditioning unit, pull the coil out and that'll sell for $40 or $50," said Detective Rick Sementilli.

The law requires yard operators to check IDs before they buy, Capt. Bret Bartlett said, but because stolen metal can be chopped up in minutes, they have little fear of being caught.

Three teams went to five scrap yards Thursday, armed with fake IDs and scrap seized in previous investigations.

Four workers at PGS Cores, at 3601 N 15th St., face charges of possession of a motor vehicle with an altered vehicle identification number. Police said the workers paid an undercover officer $17.55 for an aluminum motorcycle frame with a crudely obliterated VIN.

A fifth PGS employee faces a felony littering charge after investigators found signs of illegal oil dumping.

Two employees at East Tampa Metals & Recycling, 2308 N 56th St., and one at Marco Scrap Services, 3702 E 21st Ave., face charges of dealing in stolen property.

Two scrap yards refused to buy from the officers, Sementilli said.

[Last modified July 20, 2007, 00:10:56]