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Be on the Lookout for Copper Thieves in your Neighborhood
Because there has been a sharp increase in the price of copper recently, copper theft has become a problem across the country. Thieves are vandalizing outdoor air conditioning units and stealing the copper coils to sell as scrap. Copper prices fluctuate, and currently, it is worth over $3.00 a pound.ย This has copper thieves working overtime.
Authorities are doing what they can to try to stop this trend. The Detroit City Council and the Michigan Legislature have both beefed up legal regulations. The Detroit City Council amended an ordinance to place stricter regulations on scrap metal dealers who buy the stolen goods. The Michigan state legislature placed tougher penalties on certain entities caught buying or selling stolen copper cable. Both are offering rewards ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of copper thieves and people buying stolen copper.
Businesses that tend to be unoccupied at night and empty homes like those for sale are often targeted. The problem is nationwide and some thieves have been brazen enough to strike in the middle of the day and even target empty homes in heavily populated residential neighborhoods. So be on the lookout for suspicious people if there are any homes in your neighborhood for sale.
At Home Comfort Experts, weโre aware of this unwelcomed trend, so we offer a free theft deterrent device with any $79 tune-up. Feel free to call us for more information. Youโll find the number to the closest location on our home page.