Eden police investigating copper theft

By: GoDanRiver Staff | GoDanRiver.com
Published: May 20, 2008

Eden police are investigating the recent theft of copper wiring and other metals from local businesses and residences.
“Some of it we’ve had luck with and some of it we haven’t,” said Lt. Tommy Frazier. “We’ve got some cases we’re still actively working on.”
Frazier said eight businesses on The Boulevard were victimized last week. He said thieves cut copper piping from the air-conditioning units. Among the businesses hit were Uden’s Shoe Center; Rouse, Rouse, Penn & Rouse LLP; and Eden Vacuum and Sewing.
“They just got it all along here in a row,” said Davis Lee, owner of Eden Vacuum and Sewing. He said the thieves broke into his rental building next door to his business and took two air-conditioning units containing copper wiring.
“It’s going to be a whole lot of expense to replace those units,” said Lee. “It’s just aggravating.” He estimates it will cost $1,400 to replace the two air-conditioning units. He estimates the thieves would get just $30 or $40 for the stolen copper wiring.
According to C&W Recycling of Eden, insulated copper wiring sells for $1 per pound, No. 1 – unalloyed and uncoated -- copper is worth $3.18 per pound, and burnt copper is $3 per pound.
“Their motive is money,” Frazier said of the thieves.
Frazier said the police department regularly checks records at recycling centers. At C&W, for example, people must present an ID to sell scrap metal. But identifying stolen copper can be tricky because thieves often convert it from its original form before selling it, according to Frazier.
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call Detective Paul Moore or Frazier at 623-9240 or 623-9755.