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Copper Theft On Rise Nationwide, Cedar Rapids, IA
By Nadia Crow, Reporter
Story Created: Dec 29, 2010 at 5:16 PM CST

(I live 20 miles fom Cedar Rapids. 2nd largest city in Iowa, SPJ)

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Copper-Theft-On-Rise-Nationwide-Cedar-Rapids-112630829.html

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Copper prices are at an all time high, and because of it Cedar Rapids police are fighting a surge in copper theft.

Copper thefts have nearly tripled in Cedar Rapids since last year. A string of thefts have been reported at commercial properties, new construction homes and industrial buildings on the city’s southwest side.

In the last six months of 2008, police took 32 reports of copper thefts in the city. In 2009, there were just 22 for the entire year. And now, a huge spike with 73 cases.

This year the thieves seem to be getting even more brazen, knowing they can get top dollar for the stolen copper.

Copper is worth more than $2 per pound.

“There’s a cause and effect that occurs whenever there’s a rare commodity like copper going up,” said Cedar Rapids Police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin.

During a church service on December 5th, the Vineyard Church of Cedar Rapids became yet another copper theft target.

“You never think about it unless it’s happening to you,” said Vineyard Church Senior Pastor Marty Boller. “The wiring of this part of the building was cut during the service when we were here."

It’s an unfortunate case of vandalism and it cost the church about $200 to repair and replace what the thieves took.

It’s a hard problem to try and prevent. Stolen copper doesn’t have a serial number on it, so it’s not easy to trace. Sgt. Hamblin also says the numbers here in Cedar Rapids mirror a nationwide trend.

“At first you’re kind of angry and then you realize that people are really struggling economically,” said Boller.

Cedar Rapids Police Sgt. Hamblin says this trend won’t soon die down unless the economy turns around or copper demand declines.

“The people that are doing it, they’re after the money. It’s a crime of opportunity to them,” said Hamblin.