YORK COUNTY, SC - In an operation to combat the illegal purchase and sale of non-ferrous metals, York County Sheriff’s Detectives charged one person and seized 130 catalytic converters.
On March 30, 2021, the York County Sheriff’s Office property crime division, code enforcement unit, and the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) conducted a catalytic converter operation resulting in the arrest of Charles Hoffecker.
Charles Hoffecker was charged with the purchasing of non-ferrous metals without a permit. As a result of the operation, officers were able to seize the 130 catalytic converters that were in Hoffecker’s possession. The value of the converters is estimated at $30,000.
"This problematic issue of these thefts speaks to the lack of the ability to hold people responsible for these thefts,” said Sheriff Kevin Tolson. “Legislation has been proposed to address this issue and our community should reach out to our legislators to support a change in the law so our justice system can deter these thefts and hold people responsible."
South Carolina Law states that it is unlawful to purchase non-ferrous metals in any amount for the purpose of recycling the non-ferrous metals from a seller unless the purchaser is a secondary metals recycler who has a valid permit to purchase non-ferrous metals.
At this point of the investigation, it is unclear who originally stole or sold the converters to Hoffecker.
