TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Burglars Mostly Leaving County's Copper Alone

ADVERTISEMENT

By Dan  Fearson | Highlands Today

Published: October 26, 2007

SEBRING — Copper, the metal used to make pennies, has become a valuable commodity to thieves.

Across the country, copper and brass theft has become an epidemic because of the money that can be made off selling the metals to scrap yards.

And while copper theft from abandoned buildings, homes and businesses may take place in Highlands County, it hasn't become a trend, according to local authorities.

"It's an ongoing problem, and every once in a while you see a rash in cases," said Maj. Mark Schrader, of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office. "I wouldn't say that we have a large number of cases involving it, though."

Sebring Police Department Cmdr. Steve Carr agreed with Schrader.

"We've had a few cases," said Carr. "But I don't think it's a problem in the city. I wouldn't say there's a trend or that the numbers are out of whack compared to other crimes."

Copper and brass are major home repair metals used in plumbing and water distribution. While looking for the metals, thieves often destroy the inside of homes. It is also common for thieves to steal it from home air conditioning units and home wiring.

Jim's Auto Salvage-Scrap Metal Division, in Sebring, offers people who come in with cooper anywhere between $1.20 and $1.60 per pound, depending on its luster.

Earlier this year, copper had a value of between $2.65 and $2.90 per pound.

"You don't really have any way of knowing where (the copper) came from," said a representative with Jim's. "You have to take someone's word. You can't just call them a liar and turn them away."

The representative also said that the business does store identification information about people who bring in the metal, and that they have turned down a few suspicious customers.

"Sometimes you'll notice something suspicious about the person bringing it in," said the representative. "Sometimes they will come in with a truck bed full of copper wire and supplies, and if we don't think they've gotten it legitimately, we won't buy it from them."

A Local Brass Bust

On Saturday, Chadwick Wayne Phillips, 38, of Winter Haven, was arrested after Officer Paul Deshazo, of the Sebring Police Department, responded to the parking lot of Seacoast Supply, 3515 Heid Rd., in reference to a possible burglary.

Reports state that upon the officer's arrival to Seacoast, he observed Phillip's 1986 Ford truck, which had several brass fittings scattered in an orange cooler and in its truck bed.

Brass is made up of copper and zinc, and has a similar value per pound as copper itself.

The officer then talked to HSCO Deputy James Green, who was doing business checks in the area and said that the fittings may have come from Coker Fuel, Inc., 3515 U.S. 27 S., which is located about 1000 feet east of Seacoast Supply.

Reports state that Phillips was found earlier in the day, trying to hide in Lake Jackson.

After Deshazo spoke to Green he made contact with Coker Fuel owner Jerry Melendy, who observed that several brass fittings were stolen from one of their company trucks.

Deshazo estimated the brass fittings to be worth approximately $350 in value.

Phillips was arrested for charges of burglary of a structure, burglary of a conveyance and grand theft. He currently is free on a $4,250 bond.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT