SUNBURY -- Suspects convicted twice of copper thefts would face harsher penalties under legislation approved last week by the state House.
At least five thefts of copper were reported in the Valley in 2011, including 6,200 pounds allegedly stolen by a Watsontown man in April from a Bucknell University facility.
"It's a real problem and an increasing problem," said trooper Matt Burrows, of the state police at Milton. "They steal the copper for the money. We are working with recycling companies, but it can be difficult to catch people stealing it as well."
In January 2011, two Milton men were charged with theft after they allegedly were caught with copper pipe and tools in their possession. Weeks before, a vacant former orphanage in Upper Augusta Township, Northumberland County, had 2,000 feet of copper pipe stolen. The two thefts are unrelated.
State House Bill 2032 would make it a third-degree felony for someone convicted of a second or third theft, regardless of the amount stolen. A conviction would carry a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and, possibly, a $15,000 fine.
The bill's sponsor, Butler County Republican Daryl Metcalfe, said he introduced the measure after hearing about repeated thefts of copper wiring from communications companies and electric utilities. "By signing this legislation into law, Pennsylvania can send an undeniable message, just like more than 30 other states," Metcalfe said in a statement. "Repeat offenders who make a criminal enterprise out of stealing copper wiring or any other secondary metal should spend serious time behind bars."
Senate looks at bill
Metcalfe's legislation advances to the state Senate for consideration.
Copper is poised to make a run in 2012, analysts predict. From a high of $10,190 per metric ton in February 2011, the price of copper in late 2011 slumped to around $7,480 per ton. On Friday it was nearly $8,000.
The high prices of copper, platinum, aluminum and other metals have caused a resurgence in the past several months in the theft of common items that in better economic times might be overlooked -- among them, catalytic converters from automobiles and copper wiring that is being stripped out of power lines, tornado warning sirens, coal mines and foreclosed homes, where thieves sometimes tear down walls to get to copper pipes and wiring.
"It's not only a crime, but a dangerous situation because of where they take the copper from," said Burrows, the state trooper. "For example, it could be a functional type of electric device and could result in injury."
Thieves make quick money by selling the items to scrapyards.
The thefts have proved difficult to stop and have been a costly nuisance to public utilities, which have been forced to spend big bucks on repairs and security.
"Copper thefts in general are big," Sunbury Police Chief Stephen Mazzeo said. "We deal with it. An industrial site is where it happens mostly. Local salvage operations will cooperate with us if we go there and ask questions about material coming in."
The reason for all the thefts is that the Chinese are buying everything, Mazzeo said.
"They are buying up resources all over the place, and that why everything is up," he said. "The cost of ammunition has doubled. A case of 1,000 rounds of ammunition used to cost $150. Now it's about $400. Way up over the last four or five years."
On the rise
Department of Homeland Security officials warn that copper thefts from critical infrastructure and key resource sectors in the United States are increasing.
Record copper prices have resulted in an increase of at least 50 percent in thefts in 2010 compared with the previous year.
The demand for copper from developing nations such as China and India is creating a robust international copper trade.
The Department of Energy estimates that in 2007, U.S. electrical utilities spent nearly $1 billion annually to repair the disruptions made by copper wire theft.
Earlier this year, vandals in California knocked down 300 power poles as they attempted to steal copper wiring. In December 2010, more than 4,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana lost power after a copper theft at an electricity substation created a system overload, forcing the system to shut down.
Copper thefts can damage emergency communication networks making it difficult for first-responders to work effectively.
In November 2010, a series of copper thefts from radio transmission towers near Houston, Texas, prevented emergency-service dispatchers from communicating with firefighters and paramedics for nearly an hour.
Francis Scarcella, a staff reporter with The Daily Item, contributed to this report. Email comments to rdandes@dailyitem.com
