Stealing metal could cost criminals a lot more than jail time under proposed legislation filed Tuesday in the State Senate.
State Senator Seth Harp said across the country drug users are turning to stealing metal instead of jewelry to help support their habit. Because, he says, they see metal as hard to track.
Harp is proposing a registry for known metal thieves that would help businesses identify the criminals.
Taking it one step further, Harp also wants to make the penalties tougher for metal theft.
"We are going to take and seize their automobiles and seize their tools."
Police around Georgia say those most susceptible to metal theft should put markings on their metal. That, they say, would help police identify the stolen scrap.
