CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Because of a new law, thieves in South Carolina may try to cross the border to sell what they steal.
The law to crack down on copper theft in South Carolina just took effect. The state now requires anyone who wants to sell metal to apply for a permit in person at the local sheriff's office.
But the new law is causing concern for police in Charlotte.
"One of the things we will be looking at harder is material coming from South Carolina," said Detective Tom Geisler with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
He said news that the new law was coming caused a rush to the border. Police can't put a number on the sales just yet, Geisler said, so Channel 9 asked local scrap yards.
Charlotte Metal Recycling in west Charlotte said it's getting phone calls from people in South Carolina, asking if it requires the permit.
Wise Recycling on Brookshire Boulevard said it's seeing the same thing.
The third scrap yard that Channel 9 contacted said it hasn't seen a change.
North Carolina requires scrap yards to document a seller's driver's license, car tag and where the metal came from.
Geisler said scrap yards in North Carolina need to be alert and call police if they suspect anything criminal.
CMPD detectives check scrap yard logs every week. They said if they find out any criminal activity has taken place, even if it was in South Carolina, a person can be charged with a felony.
More Information: SC Bill To Crack Down On Copper Theft CMPD - Scrap Metal Thefts
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