Copper Thieves Are At It Again

Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Delaware State Police seek the public’s help in identifying thieves

Location: Farming areas around the State of Delaware

Agencies Involved:
Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Delaware State Police.

Resume:
According to Secretary of Agriculture, Ed Kee, “A rash of on-farm copper wire thefts has been reported since November 2009. Primarily targeted is the copper wiring on single pivot irrigation systems. This is a serious problem for farmers because the systems are severely damaged when the theft occurs and repairs often cost several thousand dollars.”

This problem is not unique to Delaware or to the agricultural community. It is widespread across the country. The price of copper has gone up significantly causing thieves to steal spools of the wire from electric storage facilities, sprinklers of irrigation systems in farm fields, new construction sites, and lighting fixtures on roads and highways.

This is a very serious problem in Delaware. Pawnbrokers and dealers who do not follow the letter of the law as it relates to metals will face fines up to $10,000 if found guilty. In 2008, Delaware revised its laws relating to pawnbrokers, scrap metal dealers, and secondhand dealers to stiffen reporting requirements and change the holding time for metals and scrap metals.

A Magnolia farmer who was recently victimized, said, “At a time like this, we all have to help each other and watch out for each other. If you see something suspicious in a field or on a farm, please let the State Police know.

As recently as of January 13, 2010 Delaware State Police investigated a theft and criminal mischief to irrigation farm equipment. This crime is reported to have occurred between early December 2009 and today. State Police are now experiencing these thefts along Dona’s Landing Road Savannah Road, SR 9 Bayside Drive near White Oak Road and Long Point road E/O Dover. The estimated damage to repair and theft of copper is near $38,000.

Delaware State Police statewide have investigated approximately 129 incidents of copper related thefts since June 1, 2009. 53 copper related thefts occurred in Kent County and out of the 53 thefts 31 were from farm irrigation equipment.

The Delaware State Police is continuing their efforts in locating cooper thieves. Delaware State Police has seen an increased number of thefts in the East Dover, Magnolia, Felton and Harrington areas of Kent County. The State Police is asking anyone who observes suspicious activity in and around farm land to contact the 911 immediately. The actual act of removing the copper wiring is not time consuming however extremely costly to the farmers to make repairs.


Link to Crime area affected, copy and paste below link to your browser:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=donas+landing+road+and+savannah+road+dover,+delaware&sll=39.13006,-75.142365&sspn=0.426113,1.231842&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Savannah+Rd+%26+Donas+Landing+Rd,+Dover,+Kent,+Delaware+19901&ll=39.19621,-75.472984&spn=0.02827,0.07699&z=14


Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be forwarded to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-333 3 or on line at www.tipsubmit.com.