Thieves Stealing X-Rays For The Silver Inside
BOSTON (CBS) - You can now add X-rays to the list of targets for metal thieves looking to make a quick buck in a down economy.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports
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Two Florida men have been charged with stealing old X-rays from Lowell General Hospital that were supposed to be recycled back in August.
Lowell Police Captain Kelly Richardson says the suspects are also accused of similar attempts at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport and Saints Medical Center in Lowell.
There's silver in X-ray film sheets and it can be harvested by using a simple chemical solution.
"When they melt the film the silver comes off and then they turn around and sell the silver," says Captain Richardson.
Police say the two men stole a 50-pound barrel of old X-rays, worth about $250.
Copper has been the hot commodity for thieves in the last year.
Attorney General Martha Coakley has been working with the Legislature to set up a registry of metals in Massachusetts, similar to what they have in Rhode Island, so it would be harder for people to pawn precious metals.
Police are now working with hospitals to prevent similar thefts.
