When a truck driver reported to work at Mingledorff’s Inc.’s wholesale warehouse on Thomaston Road on a recent morning, he had trouble starting the ignition on one of the company’s large delivery trucks.

Two batteries had been stolen from the truck while it had been backed up to a loading dock over the weekend, said Tommy Haas, a warehouse manager for the heating and air conditioning unit wholesaler.

More than 77 batteries have been stolen from cars, trucks, tractors, forklifts and even golf carts in recent weeks, according to Macon police and Bibb County Sheriff’s Office reports.

With the price of lead as high as 50 cents a pound and batteries, which contain lead, bringing a quarter a pound, batteries have become one of the hot items stolen for scrap metal, Macon police Lt. David Freeland said.

“It’s one of the new things we’re looking for,” he said.

In addition to the recycling motive, authorities also are finding that some of the batteries also are being sold for reuse in other vehicles, Bibb County Chief Deputy David Davis said.

Most of the thefts have occurred in commercial parking lots where big trucks, church buses and other vehicles are parked, Freeland said.

In most cases, thieves aren’t just taking one battery, he said.

For example, batteries were stolen from Macon-Bibb County Economic Opportunity Council Inc.’s Head Start buses parked in the 2300 block of Shurling Drive in early August, rendering nine buses inoperable, police said.

Batteries also have been stolen from golf carts at Oak Haven Golf course. Two people were charged with theft in connection with the incident, and the batteries were returned to the golf course, according to the sheriff’s office.

Thieves also are targeting individual drivers, such as 29-year-old Darren Sandifer, who noticed his battery was gone Aug. 31 when he walked out to his car parked on Cherry Street after finishing work as a bouncer at the Bottom’s Up nightclub just before 4 a.m., according to a police report.

Freeland said it’s relatively easy for thieves to sell the batteries.

“All you have to do is pop the hood,” he said.

While the price of lead is relatively high, Schnitzer Southeast hasn’t seen an increase in the number of batteries being brought in for recycling, said Chip Koplin, a spokesman for the metal recycler that has offices in Macon.

Most of the batteries Schnitzer buys are from companies, such as businesses who deal in auto parts, who are selling used batteries. Schnitzer is working with law enforcement in efforts to fight metal theft, and batteries have been one of the items under close watch recently, he said.

Koplin said the majority of batteries are made up of lead plates.

Police officers are standing by at metal recyclers’ businesses, not to get in the way of the companies conducting business, but to be there if they see a suspicious battery being sold, Freeland said.

Deputies also are watching out for who’s hauling and selling metal, Davis said.

In addition to installing car alarms, there are things motorists can do to prevent themselves from falling victim to the battery thieves.

Freeland said installing a bracket over batteries can slow down thieves who already aren’t taking the time to remove battery cables in many cases. They’re cutting them instead.

“If it takes them a few extra minutes, maybe someone will walk by and scare them off,” he said. “The harder you can make it for them, the better.”

Koplin said Schnitzer is encouraging people to mark batteries and other items commonly stolen for metal scrap -- such as catalytic converters and air conditioning coils -- using spray paint.

“It serves as a deterrent to the thief and as a red flag for recyclers,” he said.

If a recycler notices a person’s initials or other distinguishing mark on an item, they’re more likely to question whether the item is stolen, he said.

The marks also help prosecutors and law enforcement prove batteries were stolen.

“That way they can make a positive identification,” he said.

To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398.