DETROIT, MI – Despite the short-term fall in copper prices, these copper thieves caught on camera were pretty sure they were going to make a profit. Incidences of copper theft has risen in recent years, but Detroit Police and state lawmakers have been striking back. [contextly_sidebar id=”83db842af571912a57e1dff91ae94e7c”]
Law enforcement has been setting traps to catch copper thieves, who have been operating brazenly in broad daylight. The police are placing GPS devices inside the wire and using the videos to help build cases against thieves. All four men in this video have pleaded guilty to felony larceny.
Legislators have been cracking down in recent years on junkyards who buy the stolen copper. New legislation was recently passed in Lansing to force sellers of copper wire, air conditioners and catalytic converters to wait three days before they can receive cash from a scrap yard.
“It gives us time to figure out where they were bringing that material and maybe be there waiting for them on that third day to pick them up,” said Detroit Police Sgt. Rebecca McKay.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) said, “This is not a Detroit issue. I can tell you that the wind turbines in Sanilac County get ripped off on a daily basis. The farmers in some of the rural areas are getting ripped off. This is a Michigan issue.”
