In the world of high tech, online scams and even software glitches that can snarl entire swaths of connectivity across the planet, it is still people with backpacks riding bicycles that can create much havoc at home with the theft of copper wiring.
Just this year, there have been close to 50 incidents of such thefts with an estimated value of $400,000. That doesn’t account for the repair work that goes into fixing the missing copper, and it definitely doesn’t include the enormous aggravation of having slow to non-existent phone and computer connectivity.
Perhaps the police are getting the upper hand. At a news conference this week, officers laid out how they have been fighting back. Most recently, two men were found with what was said to be a large amount of copper wiring in their cars — maybe they have upgraded from two-wheeled transportation to four with all their profits.
“We take these crimes very seriously,” said Detective Keith Banks. “We will continue to collaborate with AT&T and stakeholders.”
While at the news conference, folks from the communications company reminded everyone that there is a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for thieving copper.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“These are serious matters that affect public safety and the community,” said AT&T’s Lisa Lake. “It makes it hard for businesses to run, and it also impacts emergency services and law enforcement. It puts a risk to national security.”
If you hadn’t guessed, the copper-stealers cut the lines and then take it off somewhere to burn away the insulation. And then they show up at the metal recycler where the thieves get a pretty penny for their work. We imagine — we hope — the recyclers have caught on to the game and are cooperating with law enforcement to help find these folks. Without a buyer, the thieves would have nothing of value, but someone is taking the copper off their hands.
Occasionally, things don’t work out as planned, as the two men, photographed in in handcuffs, would attest. We recall the story of a man who had gone down into a water-filled space in a downtown alley late at night — picture that — to retrieve the mother lode of copper. Unfortunately for him, the combination of water, copper and a live electrical current foiled the man’s effort — and the continuation of his life.
Perhaps word will get around to other would-be copper thieves that the police are watching and waiting. It has taken a lot of cooperation to get this far. Congratulations to the police for their success at addressing the problem. With the public’s help and attention, maybe we will be able to rid Pine Bluff of this nuisance.