SC law eases sale of stolen cars for scrap metal

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Loopholes in South Carolina law makes it easy for car thieves to pocket hundreds of dollars by selling older cars to scrap dealers with few questions asked.

The State newspaper reported Saturday (http://bit.ly/nRNSBI ) that South Carolina doesn’t require a junk yard to see the ownership title of a vehicle more than eight years old or report a car’s vehicle-identification number to see if it’s been reported stolen.

A person selling a car for scrap metal can pocket hundreds depending on the weight of the car and the junkyard can shred it and sell the metal for a big profit.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott says he’s planning to ask state legislators for help changing the law to make it harder for a stolen car to pay off as scrap.

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com