ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
State lawmakers appear to be on a mission to crack down on precious metal thefts.
"Every business and every individual is effected in Georgia by metal theft," said State Sen. Renee Unterman, a Republican from District 45.
Two weeks ago, thieves hit a South Fulton County neighborhood ripping apart and stripping the air conditioning units at more than a dozen homes on the same street. Tuesday, Clayton County Police released pictures of a suspect and getaway truck connected to a copper theft in their jurisdiction.
"This shopping cart here cost about $125 and they may get $5 at a scrap yard," Unterman said.
Unterman keeps a shopping cart full of stolen metals in her office that were recovered by police. She said it serves as a reminder that tougher laws are needed.
"You have a funeral vase here that came from a cemetery in DeKab County where 140 of these were stolen in one night," Unterman said.
Unterman is one of more than a dozen state lawmakers that have introduced bills that would crack down on copper thieves.
"You go to the bank and you cash a check or if you go to a check cashing center you have to put a thumb print down, so why can't you put your fingerprint down when you go to a recycler and say, 'Yes I have verified that this came from a certain location and it's not stolen,'" Unterman said.
"My bill creates a permitting process and it requires a check to be issued to pay for the copper which would be two different points at which law enforcement can go back in and find a paper trail to go after the thieves," said State Sen. Josh McKoon, a Republican from District 29
Unterman said three years ago her copper theft bill was gutted. She said she hopes this time will be different.
"This will be the one that sends a message to the criminal element," Unterman said.
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