Copper thefts rising in Cedar Rapids, nationwide

Another cause and effect means more crime in Cedar Rapids.

Copper prices are at an all-time high, and because of it Cedar Rapids police are fighting a surge in copper theft.  In the last six months of 2008, police took 32 reports of copper thefts in the city.  In 2009, there were just 22 for the entire year.  And now, there's been a huge spike with 73 cases this year, and the thieves seem to be getting even more brazen.

It's really on the city's southwest side.  Police are finding vacant homes, homes on the market, and even large industrial businesses are targets.  Thieves know they can get top dollar for the stolen copper.

It's a hot commodity.  Copper is worth more than $2 per pound.

"There's a cause and effect that occurs whenever there's a rare commodity like copper that they are going up,” said Cedar Rapids Police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin.

Copper thefts have nearly tripled in Cedar Rapids since last year.

"The people that are doing it they're after the money and they don't care if it's with kids, church people,” said Hamblin.

"You never think about it unless it's happening to you,” said copper theft victim and Vineyard Church of Cedar Rapids Senior Pastor Marty Boller.

And it did.  On the first Sunday of December during services, the Vineyard Church of Cedar Rapids became yet another copper theft target.

"The wiring of this part of the building was cut during the service when we were here,” said Boller.

It's an unfortunate case of vandalism while some were worshipping a higher power.  And it cost the church about $200 to repair and replace what thieves took.

“At first you're kind of angry and then you realize that people are really struggling economically,” said Boller.

Cedar Rapids Police Sergeant Cristy Hamblin says this trend won't soon die down unless the economy turns around or copper demand declines.

"It's an opportunity, a crime of opportunity to them,” said Hamblin.

What's tough for police and copper theft victims is that it's hard to combat this problem.  Stolen copper doesn't have a serial number on it, so it's not easy to trace.  Sgt Hamblin also says the numbers here in Cedar Rapids mirror a nationwide trend.