As scrap thefts across the country rise with the price of copper, brass and other metals, local police are pushing for stricter regulation of pawn shop and secondhand goods dealers to make it tougher for thieves to turn stolen goods into cash.
Legislation sponsored by state Sen. James Timilty, D-Walpole, would require scrap metal yards, pawnbrokers, and secondhand goods dealers to track their sales, making it easier for police to investigate thefts.
"It only makes sense, especially with the rash of these thefts going up, to make it more difficult for thieves to unload this stuff for cash," said Dedham Police Detective Robert Walsh. "If they can't get rid of it without identifying themselves, they're going to think twice about taking it."
Last year, a Franklin man was charged with larceny after authorities said he made more than $4,000 from selling about 200 stainless steel beer kegs that he allegedly took from behind several Rte. 1 restaurants in Dedham. They were placed there to be hauled off, Walsh said.
Also last year, two men in Tyngsborough were electrocuted while trying to steal copper wiring at an electric substation at an industrial park.
Copper wires, and catalytic converters, which are part of a car's exhaust system and contain some platinum, are also frequent targets.
About $23,000 worth of copper wiring, or 15,000 feet, was recently stolen from the construction site for the Hebrew SeniorLife housing and health care facility off West Street, Walsh said. No arrests have been made in that case.
Stealing copper can be deadly. Last year in Tyngsborough, two men were electrocuted while trying to steal copper wiring at an electric substation in an industrial park.
Timilty's bill would require dealers to check some form of state-issued identification and to photograph each seller and the items they are pawning.
"Many, if not all of these are legitimate institutions, but there should be some sort of statewide regulations," said Timilty, who believes the additional oversight could help police solve many related crimes.
The legislation would slap anyone who presents a fake ID or false information with a $1,000 fine or up to six months in jail.
Dealers who knowingly accept false information would face similar fines and could lose their licenses.
"That would be outstanding," Walsh said of the proposed law. "A lot of times these people don't present ID, and I put some of the blame back onto the less scrupulous pawn dealers and scrap yards for being able to accept the word of the person as to who they are with a nod and a wink."
Police have also lobbied the state to create an online database similar to Rhode Island's system, which allows law enforcement to access records of every pawn shop transaction.
Wellesley Deputy Police Chief William Brooks, a former Norwood police officer, has worked with lawmakers on the legislation for the past two years and is anxious to see it pass before the Legislature closes formal sessions on July 31.
"I wish it was moving more quickly, it seems like a fairly simple thing," he said. "I don't think it would cost the state anything (to set up a database), because you could either put a surcharge on (pawn shop) transactions or you could use a percentage of transactions (to pay for the database)."
Like many of his House and Senate colleagues who are rushing to get last-minute priorities passed, Timilty is trying to build support for the bill before the session ends.
"While the iron is hot and the everybody is around I am pushing feverishly," he said.
Daily News staff writer Lindsey Parietti can be reached at lindsey.parietti@cnc.com.
Daily News staff writer Peter Reuell contributed to this story.
