Copper Thefts In Vacant / Unoccupied Homes

Recent copper theft stories from vacant or unoccupied homes:

Chicago, Illinois: Copper pipe stolen from home ($2,000 copper theft discovered when home seller was giving the home's new owners a tour of the property),

Syracuse, New York: Police investigate three copper pipe thefts ($1,500 pipe theft from home under construction; similar theft at vacant home; basement break-in, stolen pipe results in damaged furnace),

Woodbury, Connecticut: Copper pipes stolen from Woodbury home (Out of town woman who owns a local home found nasty surprise - someone broke in through basement door and stole her plumbing),

Ross County, Ohio: Police blotter (Vacant home broken into and copper pipe was reported stolen from basement of one home; 75 feet of copper tubing was stolen from another home),

Canton, Ohio: Two arrested in vacant house with copper wire, police say (Canton police arrested two men in a vacant house alongside rolls of copper wire, electrical outlets, a hammer, crow bar and wire cutters. Someone saw men enter vacant home & called cops to report the men were “smashing up the place”),

Antioch, California: Police Log (Man found vacant rental house vandalized, with the compressor and copper lines removed from refrigerator),

Hawkins County, Tennessee: Copper theft victim offers reward (Hawkins County detectives are investigating two copper burglaries. One victim's vacant rental property was robbed of its wiring. In another, daughter of out-of state owner discovers copper theft and associated damage when she stopped by to check on unoccupied home),

Crafton, Pennsylvania: Police blotter (Copper pipe was stolen Nov. 20 from the basement of a vacant home. A basement door was forced open; Police Log: Copper pipe stolen from vacant home - in another incident, both copper pipe and the water meter were stolen from a vacant home on Nov. 28 - the piping is valued at $200),

Dearborn, Michigan: Resident alerts police to suspects in Orchard copper theft (Aware of reports that copper had been stolen from vacant homes in the area, a local resident contacted cops when she saw two men wearing DTE vests and carrying a meter approach an unoccupied home and attempt to enter it. Police responded and apprehended two men while they were in the basement of the home. Officers said the men later admitted to involvement in other copper thefts in the area),

Tuscaloosa, Alabama: Police blotter (Kitchen sink and copper tubing were taken from a vacant house),

Hillsdale, Michigan: Brown Introduces bill aimed at stopping copper theft (Copper thefts widely reported in Hillsdale County. Victims include owners of seasonal and vacant properties; buildings under construction. Thefts have included plumbing materials as well as lines run from propane tanks to structures).

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

Recent Copper Theft Stories

Recent copper / other metal theft stories from around the country:

Grand Rapids, Michigan: Copper theft suspect arrested (Cops kill copper caper; plant roll of copper, then follow suspect home and arrest him),

Hawaii: Copper Thieves Hit H-1 Freeway Near Waikele (Copper thieves strike again, leave H-1 Freeway in the dark. Thieves hit 20 electrical pull boxes, making off with 1500 feet of wire. Code prevents locking or welding boxes shut),

Houston, Texas: Copper thieves shelve library activities for day (Thieves cut wiring leading to generator and emergency panel for downtown library complex, leaving it "in the dark"), see also Copper Thieves Cause Power Outage, Damage at Houston Library,

Charleston, South Carolina: Salon A/C Unit Stolen Twice In 6 Months ("I just can't believe that someone would do this for a few hundred dollars when it costs us $9000 if not more when this is all over," said victimized business owner),

Farmington, New Mexico: Copper thefts on rise across New Mexico (Three times this fall, thieves cut ground wires, make off with up to 275 feet of insulated copper from electrical poles and switching station. Last month, thieves took 6+ miles of copper wire from Rail Runner Express track between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, causing up to $350,000 in damage),

McHenry County, Illinois: Thieves nab manhole covers (Troubling trend across McHenry County - about 40 manhole covers and other steel grates have gone missing during the past few weeks. “They’re stealing them on the same basis that they steal copper,” [says local cop]. “It’s for the metal.”),

York, Pennsylvania: Metal Thieves Snatch Three 1,000-Pound Transformers (Three 1,000-pound Met-Ed transformers perched 20 feet above the ground were swiped by metal thieves. It's just one in a string of metal thefts in the city in recent months. In most cases, thieves have been hitting vacant homes.).

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

Some Vacant Foreclosures Worth Less Than The Copper Inside

Reuters reports on the problems copper thieves are inflicting on neighborhoods that have a growing inventory of foreclosed homes. A couple of excerpts:

• [I]n areas hit hardest by foreclosures, such as the Slavic Village neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, copper and other metals used in plumbing, heating systems and telephone lines are now more valuable than some homes. "We're in an incredibly unfortunate time where the nonferrous metals commodities market for scrap is at an all-time high. Houses are getting stripped pretty quickly once they go through the foreclosure process," Cleveland city councilor Tony Brancatelli said. "We're seeing houses sold for $100 that are distressed houses that should not be recycled," he said. Some boarded-up homes in his Slavic Village community have "No copper, only PVC" painted on the boards to stop would-be thieves.

***

• "The problem is there's almost no security. Does this look like anybody lives here?" [one broker said], gesturing to the boarded-up home with chipped yellow paint and a "notice of foreclosure" letter affixed to its door. "It's like a big billboard saying 'come and take me,'" he added. "It's an epidemic." [...] Jonathan Osman, a broker in Charlotte, North Carolina, said growing numbers of banks are balking at lending to prospective buyers of foreclosed homes that are stripped of copper pipes and other metals, further depressing housing prices. [...] Along with copper, he often sees air conditioners and garbage disposals torn out. "I don't know what the solution is other than for the banks to not put a sign in the window saying the house is vacant," he said, "or maybe keep tenants there."

• At least 15 U.S. states -- from California to New York -- drafted legislation in the past year to deal with the problem, from tighter regulations on scrap metals' traders to tougher penalties for metal theft, local authorities and metals industry officials say.

For more, see Some homes worth less than their copper pipes.

Reportedly, there are homes in in one upstate New York city that sell for as little as $1. See Reuters: Cities grapple with surge in abandoned homes:

• [S]yracuse, New York, began selling vacant homes last year for $1 each to non-profit groups who promise to tear them down or renovate them. Last month, Syracuse Mayor Matthew Driscoll extended the deal to private companies.

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For other recent copper theft stories, see:

• WFTV Channel 9 (Orlando, Florida) Foreclosed Homes Becoming Easy Targets For Thieves (video only),
• The Eagle Tribune (Lawrence , Massachusetts): Officer interrupts suspected copper thieves in Lawrence,
• The Daily Item of Lynn (Saugus, Massachusetts): Saugus man arrested for stealing copper piping, causing flood (Reportedly, the house was in foreclosure and was empty, but the water had not been shut off. Once the suspect allegedly began cutting out the pipes, a flood ensued).
• Daily Tribune (Oak Park, Michigan): Unit targeting copper thieves pays off first day (Oak Park police say suspect found in home with set of pipe cutters).

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

Lists Of Foreclosed Homes For Sale Beginning To Attract Interest From Copper Thieves?

It was only a matter of time before a story like this came along, although it apparently isn't the first such incident. In Cleveland Heights, Ohio, The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

• Police broke up an organized copper-theft ring Wednesday that used foreclosure lists to pinpoint targets. The burglars' information on what houses to hit came from unlikely but official sources: the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office, according to Police Chief Martin Lentz. "We suspected that it was more than random targeting of houses," Lentz said. "We didn't know how sophisticated it was until we started getting these lists."

***

• It's the second time in three months that Cleveland Heights police have broken up a copper-theft ring using foreclosure lists - which are public records and are available on the Internet. On Dec. 24, police arrested three people involved in a more-sophisticated copper-theft ring that used a computer to track foreclosed homes. [...] They had an 11-page printout of mortgage and bank foreclosures from HUD, Lentz said.

***

• The theft of copper, brass and aluminum continues to escalate. The illicit market is fueled to a large degree because of China's growing demand for metals. Copper sells for as much as $3 a pound.

For more, see Copper theft ring worked from foreclosure lists, Cleveland Heights police say (Suspects relied on foreclosure lists, Heights police say).

See also, WKYC-TV Channel 3: Copper thieves used foreclosure list to target homes.

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

Unoccupied Homes A Target for Copper Thieves

Selected news reports (some recent, some not-so-recent) from around the country on the targeting of vacant homes by those in the "copper theft industry":

Syracuse, New York: Copper piping pilfered from Syracuse homes ("Burglars stripped copper piping from eight homes [on one] weekend... . [...] Most of the homes hit were vacant or under renovation.")

Gaffney, South Carolina: Copper stolen (7th blurb from the top - A currently vacant home was broken into through a basement door; copper electrical wires and pipes were stolen),

Chillicothe, Ohio: Pair arrested for thefts of copper pipe (Police report rash of metal being stolen around town) (Suspects had about a dozen pieces of copper piping, screwdriver and crowbar inside their car; the piping looked like it matched up with a recent theft at a vacant home),

Richmond, Virginia: Suspects in Copper Theft Caught on Tape (Alleged copper thief caught on tape removing the copper gutters and drain spouts from a vacant house). copper metal theft yak

More Fires Linked To Copper Thefts, Say Firefighters

In Cincinnati, Ohio, WKRC-TV Channel 12 reported last month:

• A dangerous trend emerges as more thieves break into homes to steal copper. Firefighters, particularly on Cincinnati's West Side, say those thieves are starting more fires. In some cases, firefighters say copper thieves are starting fires on purpose, sometimes it's accidental. But regardless, it's often very close to homes where neighbors may not be aware of the danger next door.

***

• "[T]hey'll either sometimes set the fire to cover up the theft or in trying to remove the copper say with a torch, they may start a fire," said Anson Turley, District 3 Fire Chief.
  Firefighters say usually vacant houses are the targets. Whether the fires are deliberately set, or accidental, the risk some copper thieves are posing to neighbors is real. [...] Firefighters are asking people fixing up homes to make sure they're secure, especially at night. They're also urging people who live next door to vacant homes to keep a close eye on them.

Local firefighters also say the damage associated with copper theft is escalating. In one recent case, thieves caused $500 in damage for just $10 worth of metal.

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

Copper Thieves Add Oil Burners, Hot Water Heaters To Their "Must Have" List In One Massacusetts Region

In Haverhill, Massachusetts, The Eagle Tribune reports:

• The region has been hit by a wave of precious metal thefts as criminals attempt to cash in on a sellers market for the material at scrap yards. Recently, thieves have targeted foreclosed homes with valuable copper plumbing and other metals inside.

***

• In Lawrence, three men were arrested Jan. 31 as they attempted to flee from a vacant three-decker in a pickup truck laden with two oil burners, three hot water heaters and assorted copper pipes, police said. In a separate incident Jan. 29, copper pipes were reported stolen during a break into a vacant home at [...] in Lawrence, and earlier in January, another 10 copper pipes were stolen from a vacant home [...]. Vacant property break-ins most often occur as thieves scavenge for copper and other valuables that get left behind. In Haverhill, a real estate agent discovered a break and theft of copper pipes at a vacant Hillside Avenue home in foreclosure. The thieves punched holes in the walls on all three floors to get at the pipes.

For more, see Police: Would-be copper thieves arrested in Haverhill.

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

Copper Thieves Strike Long Island Church; Cause $15K in Damages

In Suffolk County, New York, Newsday reports:

• A Dix Hills church once said to be "left in shambles" after it was ransacked twice by thieves this month, who stripped walls of plumbing for scrap metal, is slowly being rebuilt, just in time for Easter, church officials said. The Half Hollow Community Church was vandalized on March 5 by several thieves who broke into the church offices and stole copper piping out of the walls. The next night, the vandals struck again, removing plumbing from the recreation room and a bronze cross.

***

• Legislator Jack Eddington said scrap metal theft is on the rise. Eddington says he regularly receives reports of thieves stripping homes of plumbing and other metals while they are on vacation or from houses that are in foreclosure.

For more, see Trashed Dix Hills church fixed for Easter.

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

Explosion Flattens Vacant Minneapolis 4-Plex In Foreclosure; Copper Pipe Theft Triggered Gas Leak, Says Local Utility

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, WCCO-TV Channel 4 reports:

• Two signs of a struggling economy combined to create an explosion that rocked a North Minneapolis neighborhood. The blast flattened a 4-plex in the 2400 block of Golden Valley Road on Sunday. The building was in foreclosure and vacant, and CenterPoint Energy said a copper pipe theft led to the explosion. "It was probably somebody over there trying to steal copper and pull copper over there that set the gas leak off, that was my first think I thought," said Jackie Jackson, who manages the apartments across the street. She reported problems to police, and the building was boarded up, but that didn't stop the copper thieves -- or the explosion.

***

• CenterPoint Energy said it's seeing more copper thefts and more related accidents. The company asked neighbors to be particularly aware of the smell, sight or sound of natural gas. "If you can smell it in your house or when you're walking in the area get a safe distance away where you can no longer smell it and then call CenterPoint Energy to report it, because any spark could ignite," said CenterPoint spokesperson Becca Virden. The problem is affecting neighborhoods across the Twin Cities.

For more, see Bad Economy, Vacant Homes And Copper Thefts (read story) (watch WCCO-TV video).

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

Vacant Homes Keeping Cops, Copper Thieves Busy In Brockton

In Brockton, Massachusetts, Wicked Local Brockton reports:

• A suspected copper thief caught hiding in a vacant house wound up getting bagged by police after the officers found a small cache of the metal in his duffle bag. The suspect was arrested Monday night after officers [...] went to 25 West Ashland St. to investigate a report of someone inside a foreclosed house.

***

• This wasn’t the first time police were called to the house, [chief of detectives, Lt. John] Crowley said. The officers went there Feb. 19 after neighbors spotted someone at the house, but the officers didn’t go inside because they were sent to another, more pressing call, Crowley said. The arrest [last] week marked the latest case involving the theft of copper pipes from a vacant house, Crowley said. “It hasn’t slowed down at all,” he said. “There are so many houses that are unattended now, it is easy prey for the thieves.”

For more, see Brockton copper theft suspect bagged by loot in the bag.

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

Theft & Burglary Stories Connected To Foreclosures, Vacant Homes

Theft & burglary stories with some connection to foreclosures and vacant homes:

• Brackenridge, Pennsylvania: A Brackenridge homeowner who recently moved out of her residence went back to check on the mail when she made a discovery that would end up putting the whole block on alert. She noticed a strong odor of natural gas, saw the back door was kicked in, and noticed there was approximately a 3-foot section of copper pipe missing causing the natural gas to escape throughout the house. The fire department responded and cleared the area and evacuated the citizens in the local area until all the utilities were shut off, out of concern that an explosion could be triggered. See Copper Theft Led To Brackenridge Gas Leak.

• Deland, Florida: Police are looking to crack down on thieves targeting empty homes for copper. A foreclosed home in DeLand was targeted by thieves last week. Thieves stole almost the entire air conditioning unit, cutting off copper tubing. Law enforcement said it's happening across the county. Criminals are looking for homes with for sale or foreclosure signs. See Copper Theft Creeping In Volusia County.

• Elk River, Minnesota: Elk River foreclosed and model homes have been experiencing a rash of break-ins. Elk River Police Department Capt. Bob Kluntz said over the weekend of Dec. 27 and Dec. 28, a number of homes were broken into just south ofthe Elk River Country Club. The common factor is emptiness, meaning all the homes were vacated at the time. Either the residence was one under foreclosure, or a model home for sale. See Police see rash of home break-ins.

• Phoenix, Arizona: Phoenix-area police are seeing a rise in the theft of pool equipment and supplies from Phoenix-area residences. It is one of a number of property crimes occurring in the region, encouraged by the fact that a substantial number of local homes are vacant because of foreclosure and the inability to find buyers or renters in the soft housing market and economy. The Tempe Police Department said [...] there were 80 pool equipment thefts in the metro area between April and December, putting the issue on the radar of local police units. See Pool equipment thefts on the rise.

• Moriah, New York: The former treasurer of the Moriah Ambulance Squad has confessed to stealing $9,600 from the squad’s treasury to pay a mortgage. She said she took the money between March and May 2008 to send to her attorney for a mortgage-foreclosure action. She also made false entries in the Ambulance Squad’s check register to show that three checks were made out to vendors instead of to her. See Ambulance treasurer pleads guilty. copper metal theft yak

Minnesota Homeowner Loses Home In Copper Theft As Severed Gas Line Causes Explosion

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Minnesota Post reports on the destuctive effect that copper thieves are having on the city's North Side. The following excerpt decribes the predicament of one local homeowner who literally lost her home as a result of the actions of one or more copper thieves intent on scoring a couple of hundred bucks worth of copper:

• Sean McKenna, an arson investigator with the Minneapolis Police Department, points to the nightmare story of 3500 N. Fourth St. In December 2006, while homeowner Keili Mac was overseas on an extended vacation, a burglar severed a gas line in the basement, causing the house to fill with gas and explode. By the time Mac returned to the country, the house had been razed by the city because it was a hazard. To add insult to injury, McKenna said, Mac found herself mired in a contentious struggle with her insurance company, which balked at her claim because it didn't have the opportunity to evaluate damages before the demolition. McKenna is unaware of the final resolution of the case. Mac could not be reached for comment.

For more, see On Minneapolis' North Side, copper-theft epidemic adds to mounting housing problems.

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

Go here and go here for other posts on vacant homes leaving its mark on neighborhoods. neighborhood destruction from foreclosures zach copper metal theft yak

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

Real Estate "For Sale" Signs An "Invitation" For Copper Thieves?

In York, Pennsylvania, WHP-TV Channel 21 reports:

• Realtors don't even want to hang up signs that say ”For Rent” or “For Sale” anymore. They say it's not just an invitation for tenants - but an invitation for thieves. Realtors Bob Williams and Charlotte Bergdoll are competitors when it comes to selling and renting homes in York: but they're working as allies now - fighting the metal burglars ruining their business.

• “First time they took copper pipe the second time they cut the electric out of it and the third time they cut the air conditioner pipe.” Williams has been a victim of metal thieves so many times - he doesn't want to buy any more homes in the city. “But you know for $200 worth of valuable copper it cost me $16,000 in property damage, it's not worth it.”

***

• Bergdoll - who manages hundreds of city properties - believes more needs to be done to stop it. “These people are going in there and cutting gas lines there's gonna be an explosion and that may be what it takes before the city gets serious about this.”

For more, see Copper thefts bad for business in York.

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

Copper Thieves Add Aluminum Guard Rails On Freeways To Their List Of Targets

In Irvine, California, The Orange County Register reports:

• With copper prices hovering around all-time highs, local law enforcement has been battling an on-going war against thieves targeting copper and other high-priced metal. Everything from copper valves to piping to aluminum guard rails on freeways are disappearing as thieves turn the stolen metal into scrap yards.

For more, see Police arrest suspect in copper theft. copper metal theft yak

"Bank Owned - For Sale" Signs In Front Of Vacant Homes An Invitation For Copper Thieves?

In the Inland Empire region of Southern California, The Press Enterprise reports:

• When the foreclosure notice comes and the homeowners leave, the welcome mat usually goes with them. But the sign that soon gets staked in the ground, screaming "Bank Owned," is increasingly sending a different kind of invitation than intended.

• Metal thefts from vacant, foreclosed homes have spiked noticeably in the past six months, authorities say, and now are a near-daily occurrence throughout the Inland region, from Highland to the High Desert in San Bernardino County to the hard-hit suburbs southwest of Riverside.

***

• It often comes after someone notices the sign advertising that the home has an absentee bank owner. "We've been trying to get them to stop throwing those up," said San Bernardino County sheriff's Deputy Laren Leichliter, who works with real estate agents as Highland's problem-oriented policing officer.(1) "That's a dead giveaway."

For more, see Inland foreclosed signs attracting copper thieves.

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

(1) Given how big a problem copper theft has become nationwide, I hope real estate agents who insist on putting up these types of signs that attract attention to vacant foreclosures have their malpractice / errors & omissions insurance policies paid up. copper metal theft yak

Worcester Foreclosure Problem Not Limited To Homeowners Losing Roof Over Their Head

In Massachusetts, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette News reports:

• [E]arlier this year, police Capt. Paul B. Saucier pointed out, police inside a vacant foreclosed home discovered that the copper fittings to a natural gas line had been removed. The slightest jarring of the gas line, which hadn’t been shut off, and exposure to flame could have sparked a major explosion.

***

• There have been instances, Capt. Saucier said, of people found using drugs inside vacant foreclosed properties, but not to the extent the site could be considered a “drug den” where users frequently congregate. Where police have seen a sharp increase, the captain said, are thefts and vandalism at vacant foreclosed properties, particularly theft of copper pipe and fittings. The price of the metal, which can be sold at scrap yards, has risen from 65 cents a pound in 2002 to about $3 a pound today. The average home contains about $300 worth of copper pipe and fittings. Capt. Saucier noted a March 27 call police received from the real estate agent for a foreclosed house at 324 Millbury St. The agent said the house had been broken into and all copper pipe had been ripped out and removed.

• William T. Breault, chairman of the Main South Alliance for Public Safety, said the situation was painfully apparent at a foreclosed and vacant house at 1 Cheney St. in the Main South district. For several months, he said, the door locks remained broken and people were going in and out of the dwelling at all hours. Inside were mattresses and considerable trash. All the copper in the home had been stripped, although the gas hadn’t been shut off. The windows and doors were boarded shut earlier this year and vagrants seem to have stopped coming by. “That’s happening all over the place,” Mr. Breault said.

For the story, see Houses of cards. neighborhood destruction from foreclosures zach copper metal theft yak

Canada Not Exempt From Scrap Metal Thefts

In Ontario, Canada, The Windsor Star reports:

• [A]ccording to the [Ontario Provincial Police], thieves recently made off with almost $35,000 in scrap metal -- four 20-foot I-beams, 60 24-foot trusses, and a green steel conveyor system -- from a dilapidated commercial building along Highway 3 near Howard Avenue. Given that the steel booty weighed several tonnes, this was no quick smash-and-grab.

For the story, see Scrap metal theft on the rise in Essex County. copper metal theft yak

Landlord Employs Unique Tactic To Catch Copper Thieves

In Cincinnati, Ohio, WKRC-TV Channel 12 reports:

• A local business owner fights back against copper thieves after several expensive break-ins. The latest happened Thursday [...] . Thieves ripped out new drywall in four apartments and a laundry room and cut copper pipes, while the water was still running. Dan Schimberg owns the property and Uptown Properties, which encompasses hundreds of buildings all over the Tri-State. He says he now hires sub-contractors to stay in vacant buildings overnight and keep an eye out for copper thieves. Police were able to catch one of the crooks in Thursday's robbery because a sub-contractor was waiting for them.

For more, see Business Owner Fights Back Against Copper Thieves. copper metal theft yak

Copper Thieves Strike Synagogue; Leave $30K Damage

In Springfield, Massachusetts, CBS 3 reports:

• The scrap thieves are at it again. They have moved on from abandoned houses to a synagogue of all things.Thursday morning Hy Rabinovitz, the President of Kesser Israel Synagogue in Springfield, found his place of worship torn apart. Thieves ripped up baseboard heaters and piping, in search of all the copper they could get.Vandals have been targeting vacant houses for copper piping and wiring for years, but lately they seem to be more brazen. [...] At Kesser Israel, the vandals ripped up everything from the floor to ceiling, causing about $30,000 in damage. Their boiler room was filled with five feet of water when the the vandals broke the main water pipe. Everything was submerged, even an electrical switch.

For more, see Scrap Thieves Strikes Synagogue; go here to watch the CBS 3 video.

For more on copper thefts, go here , and go here. copper metal theft yak