Wanted: Ideas on How to Minimize Risk of Copper Theft

It is getting really bad. And some businesses and law enforcement officials are at a loss to understand what to do to stop it. Fences and locks. Security video. Getting tough on scrap yards. Share your ideas.

The most recent big time incident, Fargo, North Dakota police investigated a huge copper theft the weekend of December 17 and 18 that may be connected to several other recent break-ins. A police lieutenant said thieves stole 52 large spools of copper from Dakota Electric Construction. The missing metal is valued at $100,000. This was the second major copper theft in the Fargo area. Investigators are trying to figure out if the recent Fargo copper thefts are connected to others around the area, including one in Wahpeton, and $30,000 in copper missing from a Jamestown business.