Despite plummeting metal prices in August, local law enforcement agencies have continued to be plagued by thieves who are targeting county businesses and residents for scrap metal.
Lt. Joseph Weeks, of the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office, said that due to an increased demand for metal in Asia, which has inflated prices, thieves are stealing construction equipment, pipes, and even a lawn mower, to sell for scrap.
According to data from the London Metal Exchange, which tracks world-wide price trends within the metal industry, Copper was selling for $3.565 a pound Sunday, down from as much as $4.09 in late June. The average price of copper in 2000 was 84 cents a pound.
Senior Investigator Dave Stebbins, of the New York State Police, said the Auburn barracks had been dealing with metal-related larcenies for more than six months.
Troopers had originally been having a problem with criminals targeting cemeteries to steal plaques and monuments, but recently, thieves have shifted their sights after law enforcement began searching cemeteries while on patrol.
“We arrested several people for the plaques when that was a big problem, but now they are targeting items that are really scrap,” Stebbins said. “Someone even stole a junk car that we believe was recycled.”
Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould said residents have to keep their property out of sight, or risk losing it.
“This is a crime of opportunity,” Gould said. “If they happen to be driving by and see something worth taking, they will take it.”
For people living in the country, Gould recommended locking up equipment, or pushing it out behind a house or barn to conceal it.
“People also got to be observant of their own property, especially when they see strangers trespassing,” Gould said. “Also check any abandoned buildings or garages and make sure things are secure and accounted for.”
Instead of securing unneeded scrap, Stebbins recommended disposing of it yourself to remove the risk of someone stealing it.
Auburn's Police Chief Gary Giannotta said city residents should keep their property out front where police could keep an eye on it during their patrols.
“They are stealing anything and everything that they can put inside a truck or just take with them,” he said. “Park the equipment out front where we can see it and make sure you lock all of your doors and windows.”
The hardest hit within city limits have been businesses and contractors who have lost copper pipes, and building materials, in addition to one resident who had the tailgate stolen off their pickup truck. Making things more difficult, Giannotta said the thieves appeared to target the county or the city depending on where law enforcement was focusing their patrols.
“No one has been caught yet, and we have been sharing information with other agencies in the county, but there has been nothing in common with these crimes other than they happen at night,” Giannotta said.
Law enforcement also relied on scrap dealers to notify them anytime someone attempted to sell something suspicious.
“If someone brings you brand new copper pipe or fittings, you should be looking at it twice,” Giannotta said. “Why is someone going to scrap brand new materials?”
While other states and municipalities have added new regulations on dealers, such as recording sales that exceed $25 and installing security cameras to record any transactions, those regulations do not apply to Cayuga County. When asked for a comment, officials from Luffman Metal Recyclers, in Seneca Falls and Syracuse's Roth Steel Corporation ignored all inquiries about any independent policies their businesses may have.
But with the high price of many metals, Gould said it does not take long for thieves to sell more than $1,000 worth of stolen materials, which makes it a felony crime.
“We are trying to get to the places that these thieves take the metal,” Gould said. “(The businesses) need to make sure they report anything illegal to the police. If we find out they are buying stolen property, they could be prosecuted.”
Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net
According to data from the London Metal Exchange, which tracks world-wide price trends within the metal industry, Copper was selling for $3.565 a pound Sunday, down from as much as $4.09 in late June. The average price of copper in 2000 was 84 cents a pound.
Senior Investigator Dave Stebbins, of the New York State Police, said the Auburn barracks had been dealing with metal-related larcenies for more than six months.
Troopers had originally been having a problem with criminals targeting cemeteries to steal plaques and monuments, but recently, thieves have shifted their sights after law enforcement began searching cemeteries while on patrol.
“We arrested several people for the plaques when that was a big problem, but now they are targeting items that are really scrap,” Stebbins said. “Someone even stole a junk car that we believe was recycled.”
Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould said residents have to keep their property out of sight, or risk losing it.
“This is a crime of opportunity,” Gould said. “If they happen to be driving by and see something worth taking, they will take it.”
For people living in the country, Gould recommended locking up equipment, or pushing it out behind a house or barn to conceal it.
“People also got to be observant of their own property, especially when they see strangers trespassing,” Gould said. “Also check any abandoned buildings or garages and make sure things are secure and accounted for.”
Instead of securing unneeded scrap, Stebbins recommended disposing of it yourself to remove the risk of someone stealing it.
Auburn's Police Chief Gary Giannotta said city residents should keep their property out front where police could keep an eye on it during their patrols.
“They are stealing anything and everything that they can put inside a truck or just take with them,” he said. “Park the equipment out front where we can see it and make sure you lock all of your doors and windows.”
The hardest hit within city limits have been businesses and contractors who have lost copper pipes, and building materials, in addition to one resident who had the tailgate stolen off their pickup truck. Making things more difficult, Giannotta said the thieves appeared to target the county or the city depending on where law enforcement was focusing their patrols.
“No one has been caught yet, and we have been sharing information with other agencies in the county, but there has been nothing in common with these crimes other than they happen at night,” Giannotta said.
Law enforcement also relied on scrap dealers to notify them anytime someone attempted to sell something suspicious.
“If someone brings you brand new copper pipe or fittings, you should be looking at it twice,” Giannotta said. “Why is someone going to scrap brand new materials?”
While other states and municipalities have added new regulations on dealers, such as recording sales that exceed $25 and installing security cameras to record any transactions, those regulations do not apply to Cayuga County. When asked for a comment, officials from Luffman Metal Recyclers, in Seneca Falls and Syracuse's Roth Steel Corporation ignored all inquiries about any independent policies their businesses may have.
But with the high price of many metals, Gould said it does not take long for thieves to sell more than $1,000 worth of stolen materials, which makes it a felony crime.
“We are trying to get to the places that these thieves take the metal,” Gould said. “(The businesses) need to make sure they report anything illegal to the police. If we find out they are buying stolen property, they could be prosecuted.”
Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net
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