Cement plant is target of metal thefts
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Posted 3:25 PM 1/30/2012 : Cement plant is target of metal thefts
TUCSON - A group of thieves broke into a cement plant this morning and stole copper from the property; owners are sitll trying to determine exactly how much was stolen.
Metal thefts are a problem nationwide, and today copper prices hit nearly $4.00 a pound. For thieves, that's a lot of cash; for the businesses they target, it's a fraction of what the thefts cost.
The white vehicle on the tow truck seen in the video above just may be the key to help Tucson Police find out who broke into the property and tried to rip off the cement plant.
Investigators say an employee spotted some suspicious activity at the crack of dawn. Tucson Police Captain Ramon Batista says, "When we responded, what we found: some suspects were in the process of stealing metal."
Investigators say the suspects fled into the desert. The Crime Scene Unit showed up and began to process the scene.
Police walked the property with some of the employees, hoping to find evidence that would help them track down the thieves.
Capt. Batista says they called an air unit to search from above and the K-9 unit to look on the ground, but didn't find the suspects.
He says this a crime trend that is affecting every city in Southern Arizona. He says the thieves have found they can cash in big on metal recycling: "It's something we have to close the loop on from both the perspective of reporting the crime and the metal recyclers working with us to report suspicious activity."
Capt. Batista tells News 4 the city has also fallen victim to metal thefts. Thieves have gotten into the electrical boxes and crippled the lighting at various parks. He says air conditioners from businesses have also been stolen.
Police are asking the public's help - if you have information or see suspicious activity to call 9-1-1 or 88-CRIME.
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