By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Rowan County detectives have charged nine employees of various businesses across the county with purchasing regulated metals without obtaining identification.
Authorities said they began an undercover operation on June 20, which focused on business that offer to purchase metals like copper, aluminum, platinum, gold or silver.
Deputies said they sold metal to 29 different businesses.
Nine business employees were charged on citation for misdemeanor failure to maintain transaction records of regulated metal property. They include:
• Richard Wayne Russell Jr., 45, of Always Recycle on Enochville School Road in Kannapolis.
• Christopher Lee Russell, 31, of Always Recycle on Enochville School Road in Kannapolis.
• David Wayne Parrish, 50, of Kannapolis Auto on Geneva Drive in Rockwell.
• Bill Gene Lake, 82, of Top Dollar Coins on U.S. 52 in Granite Quarry.
• Pamela Sparkman, 54, of This-N-That Trading on U.S. 52 in Rockwell.
• Michael Todd Bramblett, 42, of Main Street Tobacco on Main Street in China Grove.
• Jerry M. McGee, 67, of Security Pawn on South Main Street in Salisbury.
• Gary W. Yost, 54, of Yost Estate Liquidations on Faith Road in Faith.
• Brock Vanscoter, 25, of Pearl’s Pawn and Gun on N.C. 29 in China Grove.
• Charles McDaries, 46, of Pearl’s Pawn and Gun on N.C. 29 in China Grove.
• Keith Holshouser, 58, of We Buy Gold on Sides Road in Rockwell.
Detectives said Salisbury and China Grove Police assisted in the undercover campaign.
Authorities said they sold a quantity of jewelry or regulated metal in each case.
The report said scrap metal businesses have been a “resource used by criminals to dispose of stolen property,”
“This operation is designed to ensure that businesses comply with the law,” a press release said. “This law makes it easier to identify criminals involved in the crimes associated with stolen scrap metal.”