Copper Theft

It’s not something you would think of being at the top of a thief’s wish list, but copper wire is a hot commodity on the black market. Due to skyrocketing prices for metals, especially copper, thieves are stripping anything and everything that may have copper; meaning most construction sites, communication towers, vacant buildings, electric sub-stations, and even farms are targeted. Ironically, the damage done by copper thieves to these sites often far exceeds the actual worth of the stolen copper. In one Mid-west state alone last year there were insurance claims for copper wire theft from farm irrigation systems that amounted to more than $200,000 dollars. This in turn has motivated farmers and insurance companies to fight back by installing theft deterrent systems, and offering substantial cash rewards for anyone who might have information about copper theft that results in a felony conviction. As disturbing as this type of thievery is to most honest citizens it is sadly becoming a norm in our struggling economy, and these wanton acts of thievery done by a small percentage of desperate or morally bankrupt individuals seems a sign of the times.