Copper & metal theft on the rise in Colorado Springs

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Copper and metal theft cases have doubled this year in Colorado Springs, with the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) reporting 40 incidents so far. The increase targets everything from home HVAC systems to vital electrical wiring.

This rise in thefts is making a costly comeback in Southern Colorado, putting power lines, construction sites, and vacant buildings at risk.

Marketing Director Gavin Urban at Wirenut Home Services describes copper as a “hot commodity,” driving the surge in these crimes.

Thieves are hitting a wide range of infrastructure, including residential electrical panels and outside air conditioning condensers.

Urban noted that his company has received calls from customers who have experienced significant damage to their homes. “We’ve had customers call us where they’ve had people go to their home and do damage of some kind to their electrical panel, their outside AC condenser, that sort of thing,” Urban said. He added that, unfortunately, this issue affects both homeowners and businesses.

The motivation for these thefts is simple: one pound of copper is valued at approximately five dollars, making it an attractive material for resale. Urban attributes the increase to economic factors. “Things are more expensive, and so that’s what people are resorting to, unfortunately,” Urban stated. “It’s not a huge spike, but it is something to be aware of.” He also emphasized that easy access further entices thieves. “If there’s easy access to it, then that just entices people to steal it.”

Beyond the value of the stolen materials, the crimes lead to significant public disruption. Stolen wiring can knock out streetlights and disrupt internet and phone services, costing far more than the copper’s worth. Urban mentioned the problem is widespread geographically. “It’s kind of across the board, anywhere from Pueblo to Colorado Springs. I don’t think it’s necessarily targeted to one area or another. It’s just kind of whatever is convenient for whoever’s trying to steal that,” he explained.

CSPD said these crimes may involve individuals experiencing homelessness. Reporting thefts is crucial as it helps officers identify hotspots and potential suspects. For victims, the financial burden can be substantial. Urban pointed out that if homeowner’s insurance does not cover the damage, individuals might have to pay out of pocket. “If your homeowner’s insurance covers that kind of thing, then you can; otherwise, in some situations, unfortunately, you’d have to pay out of pocket,” Urban said. He recommends preventative measures. “Biggest thing would just make sure you have some sort of security blanket, whether that be fencing around anything that might be exposed. Lockable fences, that sort of thing, or cameras.”

If you observe any suspicious behavior near utility lines, construction sites, or around your home, do not approach the individuals. Instead, report it immediately by calling CSPD’s non-emergency line.

Courtesy: www.fox21news.org