ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
David Piha said he's glad Georgia's new metal recycling law will go into effect Sunday. He only wishes it was in place before last Friday - that's when someone stole the catalytic converter off his truck.
"He went to crank up the truck and it sounded like something was seriously wrong with the engine," said Piha.
Piha's truck was parked in front of his business in the 1200 block of Logan Circle in Northwest Atlanta when it happened.
"You could see right up underneath the truck where they cut it right out of the truck," said Piha.
Piha said his company hasn't had the truck long. He wishes he would have taken the salesman's advice when he bought it.
"The truck is only about three months old. He told us when we bought the truck we might want to consider getting a cage underneath to protect the catalytic converter because people were stealing them," Piha said.
Atlanta police said it has happened several times before. Thieves have stolen catalytic converters, coils off of AC units, telephone lines and copper. Starting Sunday Georgia law will make it harder for metal thieves to profit off their stolen goods.
"The catalytic converters - I think the law is going to help us in that realm as well because there is going to be documentation. That incentive for people to come in so easily and drop this stuff off is over," said Fulton County Burglary Captain, Lt. Dan Rasmussen.
The new law requires people who wish to recycle metals to get a permit from the local sheriff's office.
The recycling companies who accept metals will have to take a picture of everything they receive.
They can no longer take copper or metals that have been melted down.
The companies must pay for recyclables with a check not cash.
"Between the copper theft, this and scrap metal being taken, I don't see why it's taken this long for a law like this to go into effect. It should have happened a long time ago," said Piha.
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