Four months into 2008, the number of thefts of recyclable metals – particularly copper – rival those recorded for all of 2007.

So far this year, the Vicksburg Police Department has received 20 reports in which recyclable metals valued at $500 or more were stolen, making them grand larceny cases, compared with 23 in 2007, department statistics show. Copper was reported stolen in 16 of this year’s grand larceny cases, and in 18 of 2007’s.

In Warren County, the sheriff’s department has received 10 reports of stolen copper in 2008; 11 were received last year.

“And there isn’t really one type of victim,” said Vicksburg Police Lt. Bobby Stewart. “Between construction sites, businesses and residential areas, it’s pretty widespread.”

In addition, both said statistics do not reflect the increase in stolen items that contain large amounts of copper.

For example, Stewart and Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said, the numbers do not reflect such items as air conditioners, which are most likely ruined when stolen and stripped of their copper and other recyclable materials.

“I think the recent increase is due to a combination of things,” Pace said. “One, the value of the copper is increasing and more people are realizing it, and also, I think people are becoming nervous about the financial crunch of $3.50 gas prices. Plus, I believe more people are reporting metal thefts lately since it’s become a bigger issue.”

Statewide, copper thefts caught the eye of the state legislators who ended their 2008 session last week.

Rep. Alex Monsour, R-Vicksburg, said a bill awaiting Gov. Haley Barbour’s signature would require an identification process, including thumb printing and license tag information, for all people selling copper for recycling. The legislation would also require the business to wait five days to mail a check to the individual, rather than paying cash immediately. The businesses would also be required to keep a list of sellers and photo or video evidence of what each customer sells.

“I know it would be tougher on the salvage yards, but this has become a major problem and something needs to be done,” Monsour said.

Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg, said the bill would allow for a penalty of up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine for businesses that fail to comply.

Similar limitations are already on the books in Vicksburg.

A city ordinance requires recycling centers to force copper-selling customers to show photo identification.

Also, Pace and Stewart noted that some local recycling centers are starting to keep more accurate lists of the copper sold to their businesses to help law enforcement.

Robert Keyes Jr. of Keyes Recycling, 4385 U.S. 61 North, said he saw a boom in the copper business beginning two years ago, about the time the value of the metal more than doubled, an increase he attributes to the expansion of the automobile industry in China.

Keyes, who has been in the scrap-metal business for about 25 years, said No. 1 copper goes for $2.85 a pound. Those numbers contrast with about $1.25 two years ago, he said. He said his company sells metal to mills, which usually sell it to industries, most commonly automobile makers.

Operating out of the city limits, Keyes is not required to have customers show identification.

“However, we have our own system of identifying customers,” he said, pointing to his security cameras. “It’s something we use for our own benefit, but it’s also useful in helping law enforcement.”

Keyes admits his system is not error-free.

“I know some of the stuff we’re buying is probably stolen, we just have no way of knowing what is and what isn’t,” Keyes said. “But we’re going to do anything we can to help solve the problem. We want thieves off the streets as much as anybody.”

Keyes Recycling, too, has been a victim of copper thefts three times in the past couple of years.

“People know we have copper and they come after it,” Keyes said, and that has forced him to invest “thousands of dollars” into an alarm system and surveillance cameras.

Stewart said police made three arrests for copper thefts in 2007 and expect to make more in 2008. Pace said the sheriff’s department has also been catching the crooks.

And for owners of copper, “keep it locked up,” Stewart said. “The best thing you can do is keep it secure.”

Copper thefts

City(Value of $500 or more)2007…………………….182008…………………….16County(all reports)2007…………………….112008…………………….10