Four southern Illinois men have been charged with stealing scrap metal

Four southern Illinois men have been charged with stealing scrap metal in what is becoming a common crime in the region. Scrap metal prices are high enough right now to bring in extra cash; in several southern Illinois towns and counties, thieves are making off with metal items such as lawn furniture, farm implements, wire and anything else they can take to the scrap yard to sell.

The Southern Illinoisan reported that the Massac County Sheriff's Department had received over 20 reports within the last six months of metal thefts and arrested four men Wednesday after witnesses observed them with stolen scrap metal.
Theft of scrap metal isn't limited to just southern Illinois -- nearby St. Louis has seen plenty of theft of this type, according to St. Louis Today. Illinois has been trying to crack down on metal thefts by setting up a task force. The task force recently cited three southwestern Illinois scrap yards for not requiring photo identification of metal sellers (which is state law) in a sting operation.

Earlier this month, Madison County authorities in southwestern Illinois reported that a man was severely burned when he attempted to cut into a copper line at an electrical substation. Authorities believed he was attempting to steal the copper wire, which is a regular target of thieves hoping to cash in on scrap metal.

In my area, selling scrap metal can bring in a small bit of extra cash and I have personally, on more than once occasion, spent a few hours cleaning up my yard, barn and sheds to load up scrap metal and take it to the scrap yard. It is a simple way to make a little extra cash, especially when the economy is floundering and times are tough. It is easy to understand why thieves would target scrap metal as it is generally untraceable and in my experience, the scrap yards don't raise an eyebrow at anything that is brought to them. I have seen items such as metal lawn furniture and trailer loads full of copper wire that certainly made me suspicious.

I have actually known of empty homes in the area being stripped of all wiring by thieves and within the last few months, several homes, churches and businesses in my county were burglarized with air conditioning units stolen--for the scrap metal.

Local utility companies have urged local residents and business owners to be aware of the growing theft of scrap metal and take precautions such as locking up metal tools and items that contain copper and installing motion sensor lights on their property.

Current scrap metal prices are high enough to attract thieves who are willing to take anything that can be hauled away.