By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Police need help to find the suspects from a string of copper thefts from street lights in South Tucson.
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88-CRIME shared a flyer that shows a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. The majority of the thefts have happened between 38th Street and 26th Street, along the 4th Avenue corridor.
South Tucson Police Chief Danny Denogean said it is creating a danger for everyone.
“If you have traffic lights that are not working, it can cause more traffic accidents, or it makes the area more darker if people are crossing the street and vehicles don’t see them,” he said.
The thefts are happening despite more restrictions on the scrap metal industry at the state and local levels.
South Tucson Police Chief Danny Denogean said the city has seen an increase in copper theft in recent months, with many thieves targeting wire to fund drug purchases.
“There’s been a bigger rash here in the city of South Tucson in the last several months,” Denogean said. “It’s people usually stealing the copper wire and wire so they can go sell and use for drugs.”
The city has an ordinance that requires all sales of scrap copper to be logged, tracked, and people must provide a driver’s license and the source of the metal.
Local recycling companies told 13 News it hasn’t deterred these thieves.
In fact, the South Tucson Police Department said it has seen a sharp rise in copper thefts over the past three months, including one at a house that was part of the Casa Maria program. That cost the non-profit nearly $10,000 in repairs.
“I think rewiring the damage cost us almost $10,000,” said South Tucson Mayor Roxanna Valenzuela. “So I can’t imagine how families are able to afford repairs like that.”
The criminals didn’t actually get $10,000 in scrap. They may pocket a few hundred dollars, but they leave behind so much more in damage.
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Industry experts said that with the price of copper doubling over the last three years, the thieves have workarounds to sell their stolen wares.
“It’s like a lock on a door, it keeps an honest person honest, OK,” said Gary Kippur, president of Tucson Iron & Metal. “Somebody really wants to get in, they’re gonna get in. Even if something’s stolen and brought to me, if there’s no serial number or identifying mark, the police can’t prosecute it no matter what.”
Kippur said his business doesn’t buy copper anymore, unless from a verified and trusted source, like a licensed plumber or electrician.
“It’s just not worth it for a reputable scrap dealer to deal with it,” Kippur said. “We don’t want the problem. We don’t want the issue. Obviously, on Monday morning, somebody comes in with their trunk and a bunch of folded up copper in the trunk, we generally won’t buy that.”
Kippur said physical security is the most effective solution, pointing to locked enclosures and cages for backflow protectors and other copper-containing equipment.
“Whether you’re the city, the state, a company, an industry, you have to protect it and make sure that it’s safe,” he said.
The city of South Tucson is focusing on security by putting more wrought iron around the street lamps.
The person or people responsible have mostly targeted copper wiring on city streetlights.
Anyone with information is asked to call 88-CRIME or go to www.88CRIME.org.
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