With copper prices hovering at just over $4 per pound, copper theft has become a commonly reported crime at the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.
Lt. Terry Agner said that thieves occasionally steal an entire heating or air conditioning unit, but he’s also seen the copper cores removed and the rest left behind.
Since Jan. 21, two heating/cooling systems have been completely removed from homes in Rowan.
Peggy Willis of Oliver Road in Rockwell reported the theft of her entire heat pump, valued at $4,000, sometime between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Jan. 21. William Fowler of Montana Drive in Kannapolis reported that his air conditioning unit had been stolen on Jan. 22.
Martha Corriher also reported the theft of scrap metal from Loop Road in Salisbury on Jan. 22.
Agner said that copper thieves generally target homes that they know to be vacant or under construction.
In some instances, copper electrical wire is ripped from the walls.
Agner remarked that he was “amazed” at the effort some people go to in order to steal copper.
“If they’d just get a job, they could make some real money,” Agner said.