05/08/08

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Police in southwest Idaho say a sting has
netted seven workers at six metal recycling companies who
authorities say failed to keep required records of purchases of
scrap metal.

The seven workers have been charged with misdemeanor failure to
keep required records and were jailed in Canyon County on $500
bond.

Caldwell Police Chief Chris Allgood says there's no evidence any
of the employees were conspiring with metal thieves.

He says the employees didn't follow legally mandated procedures
that include taking down a seller's name and driver's license
information.

Allgood says metal thieves are often meth addicts or other drug
users.

Police say metal thefts reported in Canyon and Owyhee counties
since 2006 added up to more than $485,000.
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(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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