Copper thiefs

[Paul Kassander]

Just wondering how you electricians and plumbers are dealing with the copper thiefs running around out there. I have been hearing stories about entire homes being unwired and the pipes stolen.

[Jeff Robison]

I ran into an old high school football coach the other day and he started a security company for new construction sites. He said A/C units, wiring and plumbing were all being destroyed for the COPPER!!!! I thought it was crazy but he said business is crazy business and he cannot keep up with the demand. He said it sells for $3.00 a pound. They caught a couple guys the other night trying to rip apart a huge air conditioner worth about 25,000 for the copper.

Jeff Robison
Titan Exterior
678-360-2518

[Paul Kassander]

Thats what I have been reading, it is crazy. I cant even leave anything metal outside without a junk man trying to steal it. I have even read that some guy was almost killed trying to cut a section of grounding wire from an electrical sub station, too bad he made it, I hate thieves.

[TalcottPressureWashing]

We had a closed down electronics factory here in atlanta that they caught some guys stripping out the copper wiring it was pretty wild

[John T.]

Simple solution for these Dirt bags..GET A JOB and stop embarrassing our Country you idiots!!!

[juan]

Ha ha ha is funny this dudes got caught here in washington state for stealing the brown bear car washe's big heavy copper bears.....LOl

[TNT Pressure Washing]

I had some SCRAP copper than I took and sold (by scrap I mean stuff left over from jobs, not stolen) and I got to talking to a guy that has some rental properties and he had some one steal the ac unit so he had it replace. That same night after he replaced it someone stole it. He lost 2 units in 2 days. I agree with John. I can just speak for myself, but if omeone tries to steal from me, they are gonna wish the cops would get them instead of me beacause those 9mm hollow points are gonna leave a mark.

[Henry Adkins]

Here's some justice for you. Several scrappers/thiefs that were taking copper out of vacant warehouses in the Cleveland area were electrocuted. They were cutting the big supply lines. In one case, fellow scrappers didn't call the police for a few weeks until they had a chance to steal the rest of the copper and left the guy lying there.

[One Tough Pressure]

A few years back, folks were stealing the cast iron man hole covers for scrap. After some serious accidents due to missing covers, the recycling yards were alerted and told to report anyone selling the iron. The theft stopped real fast, as nobody would buy them after that.

[TNT Pressure Washing]

I have never heard of that Alan...you would think that they wouldn't have to be told. I mean I don't know anyone who has man hole covers laying around the house as scrap ya know?

[One Tough Pressure]

Originally Posted by TNT Pressure Washing

I have never heard of that Alan...you would think that they wouldn't have to be told. I mean I don't know anyone who has man hole covers laying around the house as scrap ya know?

It is more widespread than most people think. Here is a link to one of the more memorable stories I have read on it. http://abcnews.go.com/International/...ory?id=1460958

As far as needing to be told, it is all about money. After melting them down, they are untraceable, so if Los Angeles did not go to all the recyclers years back, then they thought"no news is good news". That is until they found out they were being watched.

[tropical wave]

a lot of new condos have been getting hit with copper thefts here where I spend my regular work days, but we nabbed 2 of them trying to make off with 800 pounds of 2" pipes.......matter of fact Ill have them in court next week.

after I was done interviewing them for about 3 hours total, they admitted to many other thefts in 4 different suburbs, and they got charged with felonies in every job they did.....they were getting $2.75 per pound. now they're looking at steel bars instead of copper pipes

[copgib]

Good work Mike! It is alway nice to see the public's tax dollars are paying for something! One thing these guys don't realize, they may not get caught today but rest asure, they will get caught! I sorta miss the Police work, then on second thought, I really don't! Take care and keep after those bad guys but be careful out there! Hugh

[tropical wave]

oh, common, you miss it !!!! NOT

just doin my job......actually got called in on overtime for that case....I like working on the "big clock"........$55.00 an hour for OT ain't bad

[copgib]

Mike that is one thing I really do miss doing law enforcement, Details. Boy could I rack up the money fast and in the Keys with all the tourist I made a killing on details. There were guys in the Key West Police Department that were making more per year on details than they were getting on their regular paychecks. But, I will tell you this, retirement is sweet and working for myself is a dream come true, especially when you have other retirement checks coming in to make life much, much easier. Take care and be safe! Hugh