RSS FeedCIBOLA COUNTY - Copper thieves are at it again. Long wires containing copper from four welders and one torch were cut and stolen from a Bluewater Village home between Nov. 1 and Dec. 11. The wire stolen is valued at approximately $1,500 according to the Cibola County Sheriff's Office.
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Since 2003, copper theft, as the price has, increased by nearly 300%, according to an economic report provided by the sheriff's department.
Thieves are stealing copper from art exhibits, construction sites, electrical transformers, air conditioners and light poles. Anywhere there is copper, thieves are there. A lunch only restaurant in Arizona was closed recently with a sign hanging in the front window - 'closed for lunch today due to stolen copper.' A thief stole the restaurant's copper pipes.
According to a report, twenty people have electrocuted nationwide since January 2006 while trying to steal copper.
Copper is in a “deficit condition,” meaning more is being used than produced. Therefore, low supply plus high demand equals skyrocketing prices, according to the report.
Metal theft is an increasing worldwide problem that is causing considerable damage to infrastructure in the United States.
Grants Police Department Detective John Castaneda said that Grants in particular, “vacant buildings and homes are being hit the worst.”
“The old tomato plant was hit real bad by copper thieves,” Castaneda added. “With the bad economy, robberies are up.”
Requiring identification at the point of turn-in is the best opportunity to provide law enforcement [with] tips and leads, stated the report. Some public safety officials suspect that salvage yards may play a part in the theft process.
Maryann Lusk, owner-operator of Milan's salvage yard, NM Recycling, was charged this year in the 13th Judicial District Court for not keeping required records. But, the case was later dismissed by CCSO because Lusk had met several court requirements.
According to CCSO representative, Harry Hall, the current law (NM 57-7-2) in requiring salvage yards to keep records, is being beefed up in 2009. A violation will be a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
One of the vulnerabilities found in the process that does not help officials exploit copper thieves, is salvage dealers are not consistently required by law to obtain proper identification from people turning in scrap metal. Nationwide, efforts are being made to create and organize agencies that focus on metal thieves.
If you have any information on a copper theft incident call Crimestoppers at 287-8400, or the Cibola County Sheriff's Department at 287-9476.
Protecting Your Home
Thefts of copper from residential properties are on the rise. Here are some ways to protect your home.
• Secure the crawl space under your house.
• Hide outdoor central air-conditioning units with a fence or shrubs or secure them to the house with a padlock and chain.
• Keep track of serial numbers on air-conditioning units.
• Let neighbors know if you plan to have work done on your house - and who will be coming and when.
• Don't assume service people and vehicles are legitimate; ask for identification or call the police if you are concerned.
Used Merchandise
Section 57-9-3
Prohibited acts.
It is unlawful for the owner of any store, or the manager or employee thereof, to purchase or to loan money secured by any used merchandise, article or thing without first requiring identification from the seller or borrower and recording the name of the seller or borrower, his address and date of birth or social security number, a complete description of the merchandise, article or thing sold or loaned on the date of such transaction and the identification number and type of identification shown.
Section 57-9-5 Penalty.
A. The first violation of the Used Merchandise Act [57-9-1 NMSA 1978] is a misdemeanor.
B. Second and all subsequent violations of the Used Merchandise Act [57-9-1 NMSA 1978] which occur after the date of conviction for the first offense are fourth degree felonies.
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