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Theft

Question:
	Are people stealing stuff with copper in it where you live? By LoggyBren Asked Jun 23 2009 5:26PM	28 Pts Rate Question

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Top Answer out of 9

by sssherri on Jun 23, 2009 at 5:38 pm Permalink

Yep, been a problem here now for a couple of years. Apparently there's good money in it. :(

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sssherri Jun, 23 2009 at 05:51 PM

I sure am sorry your home was vandalized. That must have been horrible. Hope everything's back the way you want it now. Good luck & hope they caught the people responsible.

LoggyBren Jun, 23 2009 at 05:53 PM

Police report was filled out but I doubt they will find them. My insurance (thank goodness) will pay for it..$500.00 deductable but that's ok b/c the home was built in 1982. It's just the idea that someone came to my house..scary.

sssherri Jun, 23 2009 at 06:11 PM

It just creeps me out to think of someone entering my home like that. Hope things work out.

Answer 2 out of 9

by Just Plain Barb on Jun 23, 2009 at 5:35 pm Permalink

My husband works for our local gas/electric utility co .. they have always had problems with people stealing copper wire.

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LoggyBren Jun, 23 2009 at 05:39 PM

It's a real problem here. Someone stole the compressor from my basement heating/cooling unit..a very clean job I was told. But, they couldn't have stole it for copper b/c they would have only gotten $30-$40. Thank you, Mrs. Cleaver!:)

Just Plain Barb Jun, 23 2009 at 05:47 PM

Oh no! That's horrible. I think a lot of people are really desperate now!

Answer 3 out of 9

by Ed the Jetpacking Headbanger on Jun 24, 2009 at 3:50 am Permalink

Yes. And two auto salvage yards were broken into and someone stole catalytic converters worth thousands of dollars because they contain gold and other precious metals.

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LoggyBren Jun, 24 2009 at 09:58 AM

The catalytic converters have been mentioned several times here in answers. This theft is way out of hand but don't look for it to get better. Thanks much, Ed!:-)

Answer 4 out of 9

by bandit lets go mets on Jun 23, 2009 at 10:40 pm Permalink

i had just finished wiring a new house and someone came in and cut and stole all the wiring and the copper pipes i had to do the job all over again then at the local train station an alert cop saw a guy under a car with a hacksaw cutting and stealing a catalytic converter's

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LoggyBren Jun, 23 2009 at 10:45 PM

Sorry that happened to you. That's terrible and so much work and expense. Thanks for answering, bandit!:-)

Answer 5 out of 9

by Stormy... on Jun 23, 2009 at 10:33 pm Permalink

People are stealing everything where I live. A few months ago I left a carseat on the front porch and someone took it! Out of all things, my toddlers car seat? They are getting ruthless! I don't leave anything outside anymore!

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LoggyBren Jun, 23 2009 at 10:39 PM

Unbelievable!! A toddlers car seat of all things! I live in the country but it still isn't safe. Thanks for answering, Stormy!:-)

Answer 6 out of 9

by HoboJoe on Jun 23, 2009 at 10:29 pm Permalink

Not copper. But I had the the catalytic converter on my 4 X 4 almost stolen. I think there is some metal that was worth about $55. Police have cracked down on this and buyers are being prosecuted. I live in Northern California.

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LoggyBren Jun, 23 2009 at 10:54 PM

Yes, this is true and it's all pretty scary. I never thought in all my years here that it would be like this. But let's hang on to hope..there's always hope!

HoboJoe Jun, 23 2009 at 11:01 PM

All in all, the US is the best country. At least for now. I am with you on hope. Don't know what time you have, but I have to go to bed. Nice short chat with you Friend. See you in another thread. And secure that air conditioner. LOL.

LoggyBren Jun, 23 2009 at 11:02 PM

Have a good one my friend!

Answer 7 out of 9

by Chicago Lady on Jun 23, 2009 at 8:32 pm Permalink

Loggybren, I am so sorry you were victimized in that way!

Theft of copper wire has increased significantly over the past several years in most areas. Here, we worked to get an Ordinance requiring scrap yards to obtain photo I.D.s and maintain careful records of all cash paid for copper, titanium, and other valuable metals. We have required this of pawn shops and resale shops for many years and it has proven a valuable investigative tool for law enforcement. You may want to attempt similar legislation in your area.

One of the most disturbing details is that your home was entered. I'm sure you have already done this but if not, please consider changing locks, installing an alarm, etc. and even installing internal and external surveillance cameras. Some systems come with fairly inexpensive remote viewing capabilities for off-site monitoring. Point being, if they were in your house and saw other valuables...

Best wishes, my friend.

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LoggyBren Jun, 23 2009 at 09:33 PM

Thank you so much Chicago Lady! I will check into legislation in my area. Very valuable info you gave. The thief did not enter my house "that I know of"...the compressor was on the outside "but" it has unnerved me. I will check into a surveillance system. I don't know exactly when the theft took place. Thanks again!:-)

Chicago Lady Jun, 23 2009 at 11:03 PM

You are very welcome, and I hope you already have something in place in your area. A surprising amount of stolen good have been tracked and returned to their rightful owners through the system, and frequent 'pawners' are easily identified and pursued. The owners will cooperate with law enforcement as they don't want their licenses pulled.

LoggyBren Jun, 23 2009 at 11:09 PM

Yes, the heating/cooling people said that they had never seen such a "clean job" and that whoever stole it knew what they were doing...lead me to believe it was someone in the business that took the compressor to put it in another house. The thing is, I have no idea when it occured b/c we never turned the heat/cool on in the basement since all my kids have left home. I do suspect it was less than a year ago though. Had tested the furnace b/c my adult daughter moved back home. Thanks Chicago Lady.

Answer 8 out of 9

by Ditto on Jun 24, 2009 at 3:44 am Permalink

I havent heard of any thefts recently but when steel was at it's peak, people were stealing everything - even storm drain covers!

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Answer 9 out of 9

by Rollie on Jun 23, 2009 at 6:10 pm Permalink

Sure are. It has lessened a bit lately. I'm sure the construction sites, etc. have taken precautions and now have security in place to prevent it.