A Loss and a lesson

**Lora88** · 08-22-2011, 05:33 PM

My son is working for the summer for the company his father works for He does this every summer and is a certified hvac man. He attends college during the other part of the year . The job pays well and one of perks is he gets to keep the scrap metal. Copper is going for alot now and he also scraps the old condensers We have always stored the materials on our spare property that is connected to the property our home sits on the bottom portion is cleared the rest is woods. We have never had a problem as our closetest neighbor is 4 acres away and down hill from us. Well Saturday night someone stole the copper My son estimates it was around 250.00 dollars worth It was definately someone inexpeirenced cause both the work vans were open and there was alot more to steal than that . I told ds that times are hard and he can no longer leave things out in the open . I think he thought because we live in a nice area it was safe to do so. Sadly times have changed and Im afraid its only the beginnig. The police officer said they cannot keep up with the robberies in the area. So ds is out the money as they will never catch who took it. Lesson learned the times they are a changing

**stinkbug** · 08-22-2011, 05:54 PM

Copper stripping is a real problem in a lot of places....

**nodmicks** · 08-22-2011, 06:06 PM

I'm sorry

That is really rotten. I can not believe how up thefts are even in our rural area.

**heartofmine** · 08-22-2011, 06:11 PM

Copper thievery is big everywhere. Empty houses often get hit. New homes being built are being hit. They steal other metals to sale too. Our gate was stolen.

**ruderring** · 08-22-2011, 06:15 PM

So sorry to hear this. It is happening even our little town. We have things missing from our garage. Never dreamed this would happen to us. Yes times they are a changin. Planning on moving a lot of the stuff in the garage into the house. At least they would have to face us in order to steal from us. It is not the fact of the stuff they took so much but that we feel violated and wonder what else will happen.

**mh3rdwheel** · 08-22-2011, 06:45 PM

In my area copper theft is real bad, they are breaking into buildings, and taking them from phone towers leaving people without service, etc.

**bumplett** · 08-22-2011, 07:04 PM

sorry your son had to learn the lesson the hard way.

At least it wasn't worse - at least the vans/tools weren't stolen!!

The metro Atlanta area has been having this problem for at least a year now - not only do they strip the copper from the new homes & vacant homes, now they strip the AC units of the schools/businesses.

Many residents in downtown Atl have steel cages around their AC units to prevent theft. Looks lovely when it matches the steel bars on their windows. :sad:

**JerryG** · 08-22-2011, 07:23 PM

The times are indeed changing.

We were out of town and thieves stole the FREAKING AC UNIT right out of the wall. Came home to a gaping hole in the living room. Haven't come up w/ the $$ to replace it yet so it's got an oh so lovely cover of plywood.

Sad but true.

**nuisance26** · 08-22-2011, 08:21 PM

~I'm really sorry. I can completely sympathize after we were burglarized this year. We are not a typical target at all and we have such a nice neighborhood.
Hopefully when your son locks things up well the thief won't return to get anything else. ~

**Debbie-cat** · 08-22-2011, 10:21 PM

Stealing copper is big around here as well. Too bad he had to learn a lesson that way.

**Greebo** · 08-23-2011, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by stephanieg

I almost had someone steal my scrap steel a year ago and I stopped the thief.Reason is I have a concealed weapons permit and pointed the end of the barrel of my .357 mag at the thief.Thief was thinking I was kidding and ran towards me threatening me.I shot the thief and he was killed instantly.Thieves now know I am not to mess with,my .357 mag is in the top drawer of my dresser.Keep a .45 colt between the middle console and the driver's side seat of my truck.I also have a .380 I conceal in my pants pocket at work.

Wow! Did that make the news? I'd love to read more about it!

**Greebo** · 08-25-2011, 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by stephanieg

No it did not and I am a good shot due to lots of practice.

It didn't make the news? Not even a blip? I mean - gunshots usually end up getting coverage - remember that burglar that was shot in Texas last year by a neighbor who saw the thief leaving the house?

Do you mind disclosing the city it occurred in, at least? I bet if there was news about it, it can be found online.

**OOwl** · 08-25-2011, 08:34 AM

Eeek! I just read this. He was KILLED? That HAD to be in the local newspaper! I realize he was an alleged thief, but shot DEAD for it? Then boasting about it here? Not really cool. . . .

**Lora88** · 08-25-2011, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by OOwl

Eeek! I just read this. He was KILLED? That HAD to be in the local newspaper! I realize he was an alleged thief, but shot DEAD for it? Then boasting about it here? Not really cool. . . .

As bad as I feel about my son losing the money I could never shoot someone over it. Unless my family or my dogs are being threatned with grave harm I would never resort to shooting them and I must say Im a pretty good shot myself and I do have guns But things are not worth killing someone over

**shoiji** · 08-25-2011, 12:32 PM

Times are changing. Growing up the house was never locked. Then it seemed overnight there was more talk of burglaries so house was locked up. The area I live in seems pretty safe to me. Well the other day there was a bank robbery down the street and the bank teller was actually shot in the stomach. Just seems like really crazy stuff happening more and more.

I do not own a gun but I can definately see why people would want to especially if you live in the country far from your neighbor.