Copper thieves cause costly headache for area businesses

Danville police have reported another round of copper thefts in the city with thieves targeting local businesses and churches.

“We have had a rash of them,” Lt. Mike Mondul, spokesman for the Danville Police Department, said Thursday.

At All in One Barber Shop and Beauty at 528 Craghead St., copper coils were stolen late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning from a 3-ton air-conditioning unit located in the rear of the building. Damage was estimated at $3,800.

“This was a good unit — they gutted it like a fish,” Meredith Hardy, owner of All in One, said Thursday.

His wife, Lisa Hardy, said customers used to complain about how cold it would get during the winter. Even with all the dryers going, they’d say they needed a coat.

“Now they’re missing it,” she said.

Meredith Hardy said customers are not hanging around to chat after they get their hair cut. Fans aren’t enough to keep them around with temperatures in the low 90s.

“People can’t stick around because it’s too hot,” he said.

The theft of four copper downspouts and copper from an air-conditioning unit at the Danville Register & Bee was reported at 1 p.m. Thursday. The items taken were valued at $5,000.

Mondul said copper thefts have been increasing since April 2007.

In addition to copper stolen from the local barbershop and newspaper, the latest round of thefts includes copper stolen from an air-conditioning unit at First Baptist Church on Main Street sometime within the last few days and a theft on July 9 from First Presbyterian Church.

Leland Tile Co. on Industrial Avenue had copper coils and tubing stolen from a 2-ton air conditioner behind the business.

In addition, a home in the 300 block of Holbrook Avenue had copper stolen from two heat-pump units behind the residence.

Mondul said there are some things residents can do to avoid getting ripped off.

He said fences might help shield the perpetrator’s view of the copper.

Other tips include making sure the area is well lit, cutting back hedges or foliage and having neighbors and members of churches or other businesses keep watch out for one another.

“However, these thieves are determined. They are stealing from churches,” Mondul said. “It’s bad enough they are stealing from residences and businesses, but these thieves are stooping low when they steal from a place of worship.”

To help curb those who are determined to steal, video surveillance is an effective option, but sometimes expensive, he added.

“Frequently check on the area where the copper is located to include nighttime hours if possible,” Mondul said. “Criminals generally pick targets which appear to be ‘easy,’ meaning unguarded and unwatched.”

Anyone with information about these thefts is encouraged to contact Danville Crime Stoppers at (434) 793-0000, or via the crime tips line at . Information given will remain confidential.

Anyone who contacts Crime Stoppers by telephone is eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.