Crime & Safety

Police Crack Down On Metal Thefts With "Cold Steal" Initiative

Clearwater Police kicked off the "Cold Steal" initiative to combat a growing trend of metal and a/c thefts.

Platinum, silver and gold are not the only precious metals of value. Thieves are targeting copper, steel and aluminum which is scrapped for cash in an alarmingly growing trend. 

And locally, Clearwater Police are doing something about it.

Officials rolled out the "Cold Steal" initiative designed to reduce metal and a/c thefts Wednesday.

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"We are taking a more aggressive approach to combat the ongoing and increasing problem of metal and a/c thefts," said Elizabeth Watts, police spokeswoman. "The Cold Steal Initiative is proactive rather than reactive and its objective is to make arrests, recover property and prevent crimes through awareness of our efforts."

Metal and a/c condenser thefts continue to rise, with 145 cases reported so far this year. This is a 254 percent increase in metal thefts from 2010 and a 480 percent increase from 2009, Watts said.

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Cold Steal changes the focus from investigating these types of crimes after they have happened, to preventing them, Watts said.

Through the initiative, Clearwater Police will target vehicles carrying large loads of metal. The person in possession of the metal must be able to account for where they got it. If they can't, they could be subject to arrest and the property seized under Florida Statute 705.102(4).

"If you're toting a large load of metal or air conditioning parts in your vehicle and you're headed to a recycling center, you better be able to tell us how you got it and from where," Clearwater Police chief Anthony Holloway said in a press release. "We see too many people who cannot account for their metal cargo and that is no longer an acceptable excuse."

The thief could be looking at a charge of grand theft, a felony, if the value of the metal is more than $300, Watts said.

Watts on the department Facebook page warned of the thefts and how to prevent them.

Some tips include keeping the area lit, adding security cameras or signs and installing an a/c security cage.

Suspect a scrap thief? Call the police tip line 727-562-4080 or use tip411 to remain anonymous.


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