Example of marked batteriesRICHMOND COUNTY (WFXG) -
Over the past few weeks the CSRA
has had an increase in automotive battery thefts. Reports of battery thefts are
occurring at residential and commercial properties, new and used car lots, and
automotive repair shops. Thieves are breaking into automobiles, tractor trucks,
dump trucks, construction and farm equipment with the sole intention of
stealing the batteries.
Unfortunately the new metal theft
law (HB 872) does not regulate batteries making it difficult to catch the
thieves responsible.
The CSRA have been working with
victims of these reported thefts offering low cost –prevention techniques that
have been successful in preventing metal thefts and apprehension of the
responsible thief. Below is a few of these crime prevention techniques:
**MARK
YOUR METAL**
Batteries are targeted by metal
thieves to sell to recycling centers as this is one of the only state
exceptions to receive cold hard cash.
1) Batteries can be engraved with
the owner's initials or other identification markings that could be linked to
them. Previous victims have also used paint pens to mark their batteries with
identifiable markings.
2) Batteries can be marked with a
can of high visibility neon colored spray paint (Neon Pink, Orange, Green,
Yellow etc.). The high visibility paint acts as deterrence to thieves and makes
it easier for law enforcement to identify your stolen batteries if they should
show up at recycling centers.
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