Blunt signs copper theft bill in Springfield

Copper and metal theft is on the rise across the country, fueled by prices – currently close to $3.75 per pound of copper, according to the New York Mercantile Exchange – that are about five times what they were four years ago, the state estimates. Thieves take the expensive materials and pawn them off at scrap dealers to make a profit.

“These thieves are literally tearing apart people’s homes, farms and businesses and selling off the pieces for scrap,” Blunt said in a news releases. “The legislation I signed today will give our law enforcement the tools they need to aggressively pursue these metal thieves and put them behind bars.”

Senate Bill 1034 prohibits scrap dealers from purchasing metal that can be identified as belonging to local governments – such as traffic signal boxes, street signs and guardrails – without specific authorization. Scrap dealers also are prohibited from buying metal beer kegs unless they’re sold by the brewer.

The bill also requires that scrap dealers keep detailed records of certain metal purchases, which should give law enforcement better leads in catching thieves – who, under the bill, would be charged with a class-C felony.