Copper thieves raiding area's vacant homes - Lowell Sun The kind of people who steal copper from abandoned buildings and live radio towers aren't generally qualified electricians. i work at night with a partner (my boyfriend). This abundance of copper is what makes it an enticing target for thieves. The most common methods are coating, plating, or sealing the copper surface with a protective layer, such as paint, epoxy, lacquer, wax, or oil. Despite efforts from law enforcement and businesses to prevent theft, copper theft remains a significant issue in many parts of the world, causing harm to businesses and public services alike. When thieves steal copper, they can cause significant damage to buildings or equipment, resulting in costly repairs and, in some instances, loss of life. Needless to say, those who find themselves the victims of copper wire theft are going to have a lot of questions. Contact Editor Scott Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. At this time, we cant comment further on what is an active investigation, she wrote. Recycled copper flows from these dealers to smelters, mills, foundries, ingot makers, powder plants, and other industries to be re-used in the United States or for supplying the international raw materials demand. Posted on May 12, 2015December 9, 2021. Copper is a vital metal that has numerous industrial, medical, and household applications. Four Face Charges For Stealing Copper Wire From Abandoned Warsaw (No relation what-so-ever) I'm a 47 year old Southern Ohio resident whom was born and raised here. A short time later the male was detained and identified as Thomas Shafer, age 34, of Glouster. Roadway lighting can reduce night-time crashes by about 35 percent, according to a Federal Highway Administration study. Sealing is a third approach to protecting copper from exposure by enclosing it in an airtight or moisture-resistant container or enclosure. A lock () or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Even if the building is completely empty of all contents, thieves may still strike to steal copper piping or other valuable building components. The metal is a globally traded commodity, and its price is subject to fluctuations due to changes in economic policies, supply and demand dynamics, and geopolitical issues. Couple charged for allegedly stealing copper pipes from abandoned Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. According to open-source reporting, on 20 March 2008, nearly 4,000 residents in Polk County, Florida, were left without power after copper wire was stripped from an active transformer at a Tampa Electric Company (TECO) power facility. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-coalitionbrewing_com-box-4-0-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'coalitionbrewing_com-box-4','ezslot_1',147,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-coalitionbrewing_com-box-4-0');Regardless of the reasons why people steal copper from houses, the consequences can be severe. Some individuals may need certain metals for their job or hobby and dont want to spend money to acquire them. Authorities are continuously implementing measures to combat metal theft, such as stricter laws and increased surveillance, in the hopes of eliminating this type of criminal activity. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-coalitionbrewing_com-leader-3-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'coalitionbrewing_com-leader-3','ezslot_6',154,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-coalitionbrewing_com-leader-3-0');Furthermore, metal theft could be a result of the poor economic conditions in which individuals live. What are the safety precautions for copper? Pinal Countys infrastructure loss due to copper theft was $10 million. The consequences of copper theft can be far-reaching. In May, the agency arrested seven people in northwest Ohio for allegedly taking copper from utility power substations and selling it for $15,000. Protecting Vacant Property - The Silver Lining The unusual crime has been on the rise in some states, transportation officials say. Copper Theft: Who Is Stealing Your Copper Wire, and What Can You Do to Stop It? Copper waste can also release toxic substances into the soil and water, posing a risk to human and animal health. The most common reason is for the monetary value that metals carry. Open-source reporting from February 2007 indicates that the global copper supply tightened due to a landslide at the Freeport-McMoran Copper and Cold mine in Grasberg, Indonesia in October 2003 and a workers strike at the El Abra copper mine in Clama, Chile in November 2004. Athens County, Ohio - Glouster Man Found in Abandoned House Stealing Copper Two Hudson County men were arrested after police found them stealing copper out of a Lincoln Street residence, police said. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 950 N Federal Highway Scott Depot resident John Harrison, 45, wrote a spoof "Stealing Copper" song about those rescued last week from an abandoned coal mine. Utility companies have also become increasingly proactive in response to copper theft by encouraging customers to report any suspicious activity and cooperating with law enforcement. However, it can pose potential safety risks to human health and the environment if not handled with proper care. Copper prices right now are around $2.50 per pound. In Washington state, some Department of Transportation regional offices likewise reported a spike in copper wire theft. The transportation departments electricians are trying to come up with their own solutions, and officials also are considering putting copper overhead on the top of light poles rather than underground. This is not a harmless crime, by any means.. The U.S. Department of Energy says the rise in thefts has grown into a $1 billion per year issue, according to West Bend insurance. Thieves have been stripping copper wire from abandoned houses, commercial buildings and construction sites for years. Error! Anyone who recognizes the person in the photos or has information pertaining to the incident is asked to please contact the Hanahan Police Department at 843-747-5711. in thousands of dollars in damages, replacement costs, and environmental clean-up. The caller related he had detained two male subjects at the abandoned house. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. The copper is typically melted and recycled to create new products, and since copper is always in high demand due to its conductive properties and durability, thieves often target copper pipes, wires, and other fixtures in buildings, construction sites, and even in electrical substations. Addicts may steal copper by breaking into abandoned homes and buildings. Winds light and variable.. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Determining who is stealing your copper wire can be almost impossible. Officers were dispatched to 23 Lincoln St. Friday afternoon on a report. They can also damage lighting fixtures along highways, increasing the risk of accidents and making it harder for law enforcement to detect criminal activity. Cheryl's bail was later lowered to $99,000 to make her eligible for supervised bail. With the high cost of copper on the market, stealing the metal can be a quick way for thieves to make money. There are several reasons why people steal metals. The cost of transportation and refining further adds to the high price of copper. While stealing copper may not always be considered a federal crime, it is still a serious offense that can lead to significant legal consequences. Athens County, Ohio On March 2, 2023, the Athens County Sheriffs Office received a complaint of a breaking and entering in progress on Spring Street in Glouster at approximately 11:25pm. In addition to his warrant, deputies located suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on Shafers person. This is where stealing wire comes in. Both James and Cheryl Kane were remanded to Lycoming County Prison and await a preliminary hearing set for March 28 at the office of District Judge Gary A. Whiteman. Crash, Circleville, Ohio Four Chillicothe Men Arrested for Armed Robbery, Scioto County, Ohio Woman Arrested After Child Abuse Investigation Involving a 7 Year-old Child, Circleville, Ohio Man Flown to the Hospital after Accidentally Setting Himself on Fire, Scioto County, Ohio Laurelville Teen Killed in ATV Crash at Big Bear Creek Lake, Pike County, Ohio Man Found Shot to Death, Person of Interest in Custody, ODNR FREE Fishing Dates Announced for the Month of June, Highland County, Ohio Sheriff Auction: Vehicles, Office Supplies, Tools and More. 6. Opportunistic criminals can also turn to copper theft as a means of making quick money. But can this be prevented? And it isnt just states that are footing the bill when thieves rip off copper wire from roadways. The safety precautions for copper are as follows: 1. But they also have taken aim at public rights of way, creating a rash of headaches for public safety and transportation officials. The key to cleaning copper cookware is probably in your fridge Due to its high conductivity, ductility, and corrosion resistance, copper is a valuable commodity that thieves can easily sell and profit from. Organized groups of drug addicts, gang members, and metal thieves are conducting large scale thefts from electric utilities, warehouses, foreclosed or vacant properties, and oil well sites for tens of thousands of dollars in illicit proceeds per month. For overdose and related medical emergencies please dial 911. Verbal commands were given to the suspect who did not comply with orders given by deputies. Probably the most effective way to ward off or catch thieves hoping to harvest the copper wire from an air conditioner is to equip the home air conditioning system with a pressure switch and home security system. An Unusual Crime: Copper Wire Theft Drains State Resources - Governing Get a daily list straight to your email inbox. Most of these crimes are driven by the high price of copper, and many are committed by people who are looking to sell the metal to support their drug habits. North Providence police warn real estate agents about copper pipe The FBI also has high confidence in the reliability of information derived from open-source reporting. CENTRAL, Mich. (FOX 2) - An abandoned mine in northern Michigan reentered the news cycle recently after three thieves were nabbed for trying to steal hundreds of pounds of copper. Copper theft is a serious problem and costs businesses and individuals millions of dollars each year. The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services wrote in their Theft of Scrap Metal guide that to support their drug use, addicts require repeated and quick access to small amounts of cash.1. For homeowners, the risk is lower but is still not negligible in many areas. The sorted copper is then melted down and cast into new products. Organized groups of drug addicts, gang members, and metal thieves are conducting large scale thefts from electric utilities, warehouses, foreclosed and vacant properties, and oil well sites for tens of thousands of dollars in illicit proceeds per month. Tanya Greer, a spokesperson for the New Brunswick Department of Transportation and Infrastructure confirmed in an email that the copper was stolen, but would not comment on how much wire was taken, its value, whether or not it is causing any construction delays or if the loss was insured.
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