Thieves snatching your copper and metal to make quick cash
ELLENSBURG -- Mike Varnum had to get smart after thieves walked away with batteries, scraps and cables. He put up fences and lights, to help avoid another theft.
It turns out he's not alone. He said lately it's been a chain reaction among neighboring businesses.
We pulled the numbers and found that just in the last month, there have been five wire and metal thefts. Deputies say they're bringing it to junkyards and recycling facilities to make quick cash. Under-Sheriff Clayton Meyers points to a bad economy and high metal prices.
"People's morals go haywire when they're desperate," says Kittitas Recycling employee, Alex Hardy.
Hardy says his business works very closely with the sheriff's office. Employees record every transaction to have ready for investigators.
The last major theft here was 500 feet of insulated copper wire. It pays about a dollar a pound.
So, how can you avoid becoming the next victim?
"Pay attention," says Meyers. "When you hear the dog barking in the middle of the night, it might be for something other than a rabbit."
The Kittitas Sheriff's Office says burglaries have also increased.There were 18 last month in the county.
It turns out he's not alone. He said lately it's been a chain reaction among neighboring businesses.
We pulled the numbers and found that just in the last month, there have been five wire and metal thefts. Deputies say they're bringing it to junkyards and recycling facilities to make quick cash. Under-Sheriff Clayton Meyers points to a bad economy and high metal prices.
"People's morals go haywire when they're desperate," says Kittitas Recycling employee, Alex Hardy.
Hardy says his business works very closely with the sheriff's office. Employees record every transaction to have ready for investigators.
The last major theft here was 500 feet of insulated copper wire. It pays about a dollar a pound.
So, how can you avoid becoming the next victim?
"Pay attention," says Meyers. "When you hear the dog barking in the middle of the night, it might be for something other than a rabbit."
The Kittitas Sheriff's Office says burglaries have also increased.There were 18 last month in the county.
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