Dealer convicted in North Toledo scrapyard sting

3/16/2007

A father and son arrested after a sting operation at a North Toledo scrapyard have settled their cases in court, but Toledo police say they intend to continue targeting the illegal sale of scrap metal.

Waleed Kada, 23, whose father owns Lagrange Recycling, 1015 Utica St., pleaded no contest yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to a charge of failing to keep records of transactions. He was found guilty by Judge James Bates, who imposed a $1,000 fine.

Last month, Mr. Kada's father, Khalid Kada, 48, pleaded no contest to and was found guilty in Toledo Municipal Court of unauthorized use of property. He was fined $150.

Both are misdemeanor convictions.

The Kadas, both of Waterford, Mich., were arrested Jan. 16 at the start of a series of Toledo police sting operations at scrapyards.

The younger Mr. Kada was accused of buying copper from an undercover officer even after CSX Transportation police previously talked with those at the business about the wire and asked that they call police if it was brought in for sale.

Police also found at the business manhole covers and dozens of shopping carts, which their attorney said have since been returned.

Defense attorney Alan Konop said the men have been working with the city and have since reopened their business.

"From the day this began, they worked with the city to get in compliance," he said.

Toledo police Sgt. James Brown said the department is continuing its efforts to crack down on the theft and illegal sale of scrap metal.

He said by eliminating the demand at scrapyards, the thieves will not have anywhere to sell the items.

"It's huge," he said of the problem. "And it's not just what people think. There are new materials being stolen from construction sites and being sold as scrap."