Police : Copper Theft Becoming A Problem

Jason Boehm a custodian at Saint James says he can't believe how much copper has been stolen from his church in the last three weeks. In all almost three hundred feet. He says, “most of the Williams Street and the Vermilion Street side was taken.” He says this isn't the first time they've been targeted by copper thieves over the last decade. Boehm adds, “It took like at least 3000 dollars to replace that this time they've taken quite a bit more than seven or eight years ago.” Deputy Director Doug Miller of Danville Police says they’ve noticed an increase in theft as well. He says, “It seems like it's picked up a lot more in the last two to three weeks in the Danville area. In the past we've had isolated cases, but not to the extent now.” Since copper is selling at more than two dollars a pound police say there's no question where all that stolen copper is going. Miller adds, “Obviously, the price of copper has risen drastically in the last year and in scrap yards it's easy to get rid of and get easy cash.”