Roseville police recently arrested two people as part of an effort to put the pressure on scrap metal dealers who police say are creating a market for thieves, according to authorities.
Like many other law enforcement agencies, Roseville police say they have seen a deluge of metal theft, with 65 reports of stolen catalytic converters alone in the last month and a half, according to a news release. To help stem that trend, police are cracking down on dealers in the region who are illegally buying large qualities of sawed-off catalytic converters, copper wire and other "obviously stolen metal items," police said.
"The recyclers need to follow the law," said Sgt. Cal Walstad. "That's why the laws are set up the way they are."
Last week, police arrested 45-year-old Michele Walden on suspicion of possessing stolen property. They began investigating her after allegedly seeing claims online that she would buy scrap metal, catalytic converters and other types of metal, police said.
Walden also was cited for not having a city business license, Walstad said.
On Thursday, police arrested Jenipher Maggard, a scrap dealer in Rio Linda, for alleged violations of the state's Business and Professions Code because she was not properly recording sellers' identification information, Walstad said.
State law requires metal recyclers to keep extensive records on metal sellers, including their name, address, a copy of their license, their vehicle make and license number, dates of sale, and other information, police said. Dealers also must hold cash payments to sellers for three days or mail a check to the seller's business, police said.
Police recommend that car owners have their license plate number engraved on their catalytic converter. If the part is ever stolen, having the license plate number on it assists police in making their case, and could lead to additional charges if the recycler tries to damage the engraving, Walstad said.
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