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Thieves' Recent Scrap Scam Targets Older Cars

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By ROD CHALLENGER, News Channel 8

Published: December 19, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - There's a new type of scam for scrap metal: stealing your old car.

Thieves are scrapping cars that don't belong to them, St. Petersburg police said Tuesday.

Since September at least 19 cars, mostly older models, have been scrapped after being towed without the owners knowing, police said.

Police have arrested seven people claiming to have been the owners of the cars, and a tow truck driver.

The scam is simple, police said. The thieves claim to be the owners of cars they find in people's yards and on the street. Tow truck operators pay people $150 or more for the cars.

"Some of these guys are going around looking for cars that they think are abandoned, broke down, and are sitting in driveways, the side of yards," St. Petersburg police Detective Tim Brown said. The thieves then act as if they are the owners.

The tow truck operators then go to the salvage yards, which pay up to $300 for old cars that people no longer want.

When picking up the cars, tow truck operators are not asking for a title, registration or the car keys, police said. All they're doing is getting the alleged owner to sign an affidavit.

People arrested in connection with this crime are charged with possession of stolen property and auto theft.

Brown said owners are upset that their cars were crushed.

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