Scrap metal thefts on rise

Authorities attribute increase to jump in prices for metals

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — A Fitchburg man was arrested Wednesday night for allegedly stealing copper pipes from the back of a local plumber’s truck. Police units responded to the scene and were able to apprehend the suspect after a brief foot chase. The man was later identified as Geno Casson, according to police, and the plumber reported that the equipment he attempted to steal had a resale value of approximately $250. The incident is just one of many similar thefts that have occurred recently in Gardner, and police officials attribute the sudden increase to the consistently rising prices offered by junkyards for scrap metals. Sgt. Kevin Minns said that he has seen a tremendous increase in the number of reported thefts of scrap metal in the area over the past couple of months. Just recently, a father and son were arrested for allegedly stealing wiring off of a local railroad track that they were allegedly going to sell for scrap. Sgt. Minns added that the recurrent problem is worse in Gardner then in other areas of the state because the city has many buildings that are either uninhabited or undergoing renovations. “We have a lot of buildings in the Gardner area with owners who live in other parts of the state,” said Sgt. Minns. “These buildings are targeted by criminals because they are easily accessible to people looking for metal.” “It’s a huge problem in the area,” added Sgt. Minns. “The sudden rise in the prices offered for scrap metal is certainly a driving force behind it but most of the thefts are done by people with drug problems.” Sgt. Minns said the criminals responsible for the thefts are becoming increasingly bold in their search for scrap metal. “The crimes happen day or night,” said Sgt. Minns, who explained that when stealing from abandoned or uninhabited properties, thieves will oftentimes enter under the guise of construction workers. The thefts are not limited to just copper, and police officials stress that members of the community should be careful when protecting radiators, pipes and aluminum siding. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 4/25/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 99)