Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

Login Options

1:23 p.m. • 5-23-12

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Today: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 83° F
  • Thu: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 86° F
  • Fri: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 89° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Marketplace Links

Social Links

Main Menu

Posted: December 28, 2006

Copper Thefts on Rise in Parts of N.C.

Copper Thefts
Cooper Thefts
e-mail print friendly
Raleigh, N.C. — Copper is becoming a popular target of thieves in North Carolina.

Since Dec. 10, the Fayetteville Police Department has received 301 reports of copper thefts in the city. In one case, the thieves caused $250,000 in property damage.

Since November, the town of Dunn reports 10 copper-related thefts, while the town of Erwin has seen four thefts and Lillington has had two.

Authorities said the thefts are due to the rising value of copper. It has skyrocketed 400 percent in the last two years.

According to authorities, thieves usually hit construction sites. Salvage yards pay about $2.50 per pound of copper.

RELATED TOPICS: Fayetteville

Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

4 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

View Comments 4 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments.

Latest Comments
There wouldn't be a problem without the greedy scrap metal buyers enabling the crime in the first place. Most will scream against additional restrictions on their way of doing business, but local authorities have the power to mandate certain procedures when it comes to commerce in their jurisdictions, and a few stringent identification requirements would slow the crime down to a trickle. But ....if the authorites balk at oing this, who does it really benefit? The greedy meatal buyers...and it hurts the rest of us. Oh yeah, it also helps the criminal to keep the status quo.
Click to view my profile oldrebel
December 28, 2006 5:03 p.m.
Dye packs! They work for banks!
gleebschnouser
December 28, 2006 3:45 p.m.
I have actually had quite a bit of sucess in finding out who has been stealing from our company. The copper recycling place in Garner requires a picture ID whenever anyone turns in copper for cash. The stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze me.
Pack Rules
December 28, 2006 1:11 p.m.
Why don't we pass a new law that makes a person present proper identification and keep it recorded when someone sells to the recycle business ? At least we would be able to track a individual that sells copper on a regular basis.
Friend
December 28, 2006 12:34 p.m.
View Comments 4 COMMENTS

Multimedia Spotlight

more
Report It