Austin Police Make Arrests in Scrap Metal Thefts

The Austin Police Department Pawn/Centralized Theft Unit, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Public Safety, issued 11 arrest warrants for four suspects during an undercover investigation. The owner and employees of a company called Recycling Center were charged with violations of offenses in the Texas Occupation Code.

The owner of the recycling center was charged with Theft and Failure to Display Notice to Sellers of Regulated Material; Failure to Keep Records of Purchase for the Sale of Regulated Materials; and Failure to Furnish a Report to the Texas DPS for the Sale of Regulated Material Within the Seven Day requirement.

The Undercover Operation was conducted by members of Austin Police Department and the Department of Public Safety due to the increasing problem of theft of copper and items that contain copper such as wire and cable. This investigation targeted scrap metal dealers who purchase stolen copper or copper materials.

Undercover officers offered AT&T cable for sale to the Recycling Center and indicated to the owner and employees that the cable was stolen.

APD and DPS will continue to investigate copper thefts, as well as area scrap dealers for compliance with laws that require the identification of metal sellers and follow up reporting of these purchases. These investigations will make it increasingly difficult to profit from copper thefts.