Most people know that crimes like murder, shoplifting, and public disorder are up around the country, especially in major cities, despite Democrat claims to the contrary. But how many would know that semi precious metals like copper are now a growing favorite for thieves looking to make a quick buck?
Even if people saw it, they might not understand what was playing out before their eyes. Take Garland, Texas. The cops there say they’ve seen a huge uptick in the theft of copper, and the thieves are so brazen that they’re doing it “right before your eyes,” according to police Lt. Pedro Barineau.
Barineau said these ripoff men will go to “any length” to get at copper, including using all types of saws, even climbing electrical utility poles. And they get done up in costume to do it. Who knows if it’s happened right in front of you unawares? The thieves will put on clothing that makes them look “official,” Barineau said, including hard hats and high-visibility safety vests.
“But don’t be fooled,” the cop said.
They also arrive in plain old cars and trucks, rather than the electrical and utility vehicles parked beneath poles when actual workers are doing maintenance on them. Barineau said that while the criminals will steal the copper wire and components at any time of day, a lot of thefts have happened right out in the open during the day.
As of the time of this writing, copper is priced at just more than $4 per ounce. It’s easy to see how quickly that can add up to a substantial profit, though the “loot” obviously gets quite heavy.
Police in Rankin County, Mississippi, are dealing with the same thing. They too say copper thefts have seen a recent spike. But they have had a recent victory. A local cop spotted a Nissan on the side of Highway 471 that appeared to be broken down. When the deputy checked the car he found no one inside.
He logged the car to make sure it was on the record in case assistance or police action became necessary, and went on with his day. He came back to the apparently disabled car later, and that’s when he spotted the man who would be driving it. A man in plain clothes was making his way out of a commercial site. He got into the Nissan and drove off, but the deputy pulled him over.
Surprise, surprise, there were a number of items in the car that hadn’t been there when the deputy first checked. They included “copper wires and tools consistent with burglary and copper theft.”
The car’s driver was 39-year-old Montana Jack Davis, who is suspected of at least two additional copper thefts in the region.
