Add The Neighborhood Fire Hydrant To The "Coveted List" For Some Copper, Metal Thieves

In Yucaipa, California, the News Mirror reports:

• Vandals have stolen more than $10,500 worth of fire hydrants, brass valves and copper wiring from Yucaipa Valley Water District during the past six months, according to district officials. These thefts, when combined with the labor costs involved in replacing the stolen equipment, could cost the district's customers as much as $15,000. [...] “I only know of two fire hydrants being stolen from the district in the past 33 years,” [the district's operations manager Charlie] Bailey said. “But we've had nine fire hydrants stolen in the past six months alone. This is clearly happening because of the significant increase in brass and copper scrap values.”

For more, see Vandals steal $10,500 worth of copper, fire hydrants and more.

For other stories on stolen copper, see Copper Thefts I and Copper Thefts II. copper metal theft yak