More reports of copper theft surface in Suffolk

Posted to: News Suffolk
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By Kristin Davis
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 18, 2008

Suffolk police are investigating at least three more cases of copper wire stolen from a Virginia Dominion Power site, said Debbie George, city spokeswoman.

The latest incident, reported Friday, occurred between Aug. 4 and Aug. 5 on Godwin Boulevard, according to the city’s police bulletin.

It is just the latest in a rash of metal thefts across Hampton Roads in recent months. Four spools of copper wire worth about $4,200 were taken from the same site July 28.

Also in July, two people pleaded guilty to grand larceny and larceny with intent to sell for incidents involving the theft of copper wire from a Dominion location on Cromwell Drive in Norfolk between December and February.

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Foreign currency?

Submitted by CJackCity on Mon, 08/18/2008 at 3:01 pm.

I think this is the wrong time to invest in foreign currency. I think I heard a lot of the stolen copper was used to get tickets to the Jonas Brothers.

42

Submitted by 42 on Mon, 08/18/2008 at 2:57 pm.

The people who are stealing this copper are ALL doing it to support their drug habits

ALL? Wow.

I suppose since you talked to them all, you know who they are. you should go turn them in.

oh , I got one too. How about this one. ALL people who make up their own "factual" generalizations for their own little side agendas are irritating.

uhmmm

Submitted by Ethan on Mon, 08/18/2008 at 2:55 pm.

Cell towers are often interconnected with burial fiber, and rely on GPS (or atomic clocks?) for timing. Sure the RF feedline is copper, but that would be a mess to touch -- if you didn't get injured by 100 watts of RF. Who's to say it's a drug habit? Maybe they are investing the money in foreign currencies, or precious metals. Maybe it's realtors or mortgage brokers who can't make their rent payment on their european autos, afraid that the neighbors and their friends will discover their true financial status.

who says it's drugs?

Submitted by jreid8231 on Mon, 08/18/2008 at 2:45 pm.

Maybe the people are trying to get a new motor for their boat, or more chrome for their motorcycle? Or maybe just to put food on the table for their family cause they were laid off by a company who replaced them for half the cost by hiring illegal laborers? Might even be an inside job by someone who knows that (from the frequency of the larcenies) Dominion's security is lacking. I certainly hope the book gets thrown at the metal business' taking these spools of copper wire from people obviously not in that line of work.

Still think drugs are a "victimless" crime?!?

Submitted by Robert A on Mon, 08/18/2008 at 2:31 pm.

This is what happens when society refuses to accept reality. The people who are stealing this copper are ALL doing it to support their drug habits. They steal copper pipes from under houses, the recyclable metal from A/C units and gutters, and now this. The good news is that everybody will be affected by them messing with the cell towers, so maybe the system will have to do something about it.