Local News

Police Go After Scrap Yards Buying Stolen Metals

DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ― The fastest growing crime in North Texas continues to wreak havoc on local businesses.

In the past five years, the price of copper has gone from 74 cents a pound to more than $3 a pound.

Thieves ripped copper wiring out of the two air conditioning units at a North Dallas Grandy's overnight, leaving the restaurant without cool air all day and costing $30,000 in damage.

"No customers come into the restaurant because there's no air conditioning," said Ibrahim Assad, owner of the Grandy's. "It's been devastating so far."

Officers out of the Dallas Police Department's Central Patrol Division conducted inspections Tuesday at 20 scrap yards looking for stolen metal.

"I can generally look at a pile and pick something out that looks suspicious pretty quick," said Detective Ron Mason with the Dallas Police Department.

During the inspections, Detective Mason placed a hold on some suspicious pieces of metal, including stadium bleachers.

The detective said two of the scrap yards he visited had been previously cited for possessing stolen copper.

At one scrap yard on Lamar Street, employees said they are trying to follow the law and avoid buying from thieves.

"They come in and check all the time," said scrap yard owner Sylvia Williams. "We try to be in compliance. Well, we are in compliance."

The effort to make buyers more accountable is something copper theft victims welcome.



Past Copper Theft Stories From Around The Metro-area
Copper Stolen From Some Power Lines In Dallas
Copper Crooks Hit Business For 3rd Time In 6 Days
Thieves Steal Copper From Dallas Rec Center
Copper Thieves Repeatedly Hit Dallas Ministry
Suspected Copper Thief Caught On McDonald's Roof
Copper Price Has Thieves Performing High Wire Act
Copper Thieves Blamed For Dark Dallas Roads
Thieves In Dallas Make Off With $100,000 In Copper
Copper Thieves Hit Mansfield Municipal Complex
Fort Worth Steps Up Fight Against Metal Theft
Suspected Dallas Copper Thief Electrocuted
Copper Thieves Hit Church
AT&T Offers Reward To Catch Copper Thieves
Church Moves Service After Copper Theft
Thieves Targeting Copper On New Houses

Here's What's Hot Today On CBS11TV.COM:
 PD: Fort Worth Woman's Disappearance Suspicious
 Arlington Killer Appeals His Wednesday Execution
 SLIDESHOW: Gay Celebrities
 VIDEO: Champion Drag Racer John Force Talks About Crash
 VIDEO: Potashniks Arrive At Federal Courthouse
 Gap Widens As Cowboys Get Better Every Week
 VIDEO: FW Police Say Miscommunication Led To Altercation
 SLIDESHOW: 46 Weird Photos
 DPD Ends 4-Hour Standoff With Alleged Bank Robber
 VIDEO: Woman Found Shot To Death In Running Car In Dallas

(CBS 11 News)