By
Jessica Taloney
.
Published: Tue, July 31, 2007 - 5:20 pm
Last Updated: Wed, August 01, 2007 - 3:54 pm
The recent rise in the number of copper thefts have Mobile police working overtime to catch crooks. But, instead of trying to catch the thieves in the act, police are now focusing their attention on the sale of the stolen metal.On Tuesday, officers began setting up road blocks outside scrap metal facilities where copper is often sold. More than a dozen investigators are checking I.D.'s and asking questions.
"We deal with copper theft in some fashion everyday," said Mobile Police Chief Phillip Garrett. "Some days we have one or two. Some days we have six or seven."
News Five watched as police confiscated 28 pounds of copper from a woman who tried to sell it. Lucielle Stafford says it belonged to her boyfriend, but she doesn't know where he got it.
"It happens everyday," said Detective David Jenkins, who questioned Stafford. "I don't know if we'll ever stop it, but we're trying to eliminate it as best we can."
Police say they'll continue these road blocks over the next few weeks at all the scrap metal facilities in the city.
Mobile Mayor Sam Jones is also getting involved. He says he's working with the city council to require scrap metal facilities to keep records of who's selling.
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