As previously discussed (click here) there has been a nationwide surge in thefts of copper piping and overall property vandalism due to the rising price of commodities. The following report discusses a recent discovery in Detroit MI along with proposed solutions to combat the epidemic.

Police find stockpiles of stolen copper
Squatters face charges after raid in Detroit

As city and state lawmakers push for measures to crack down on copper theft, Detroit police on Tuesday raided an abandoned house on East Bethune where nine squatters were stockpiling metal stolen from nearby buildings.

The seven men and two women were found in the filthy, debris-strewn three-story house watching television sets powered by stolen electricity tapped from DTE lines. Police also discovered a man in an upstairs bedroom injecting drugs.

"He said he was from Bloomfield and he asked if we could allow him to finish getting his fix," said Commander Frederick McClure.

McClure said a neighbor tipped police to the activity in the house. Churches, homes and a vacant police precinct have been hit by thieves as copper prices soar.

The squatters will face charges ranging from entering a home without permission to receiving and concealing stolen property.

On Tuesday, state Sen. Buzz Thomas, D-Detroit, introduced a bill to increase penalties for copper theft.

The Detroit City Council will vote today on an ordinance to crack down on metal theft, including the licensure of junk collectors .

Junk dealers and scrap yards would also have to keep detailed records of whom they are buying metal from and keep video surveillance of transactions.

A hearing Tuesday attracted a dozen scrap collectors who said increased regulations and fees would drive them out of business.

"It's too much," said 66-year-old Joe Antolak. "They need to get more police out there."

But Councilwoman JoAnn Watson said the regulations are needed.

"Something has to be done," Watson said. "Citizens are demanding it."

To access the online article, please click here.