Multiple break-ins at Mason Station this year have resulted in the theft of some $3500 worth of copper, according to the Wiscasset Police Department. The thefts at the now defunct power station mimic a growing problem throughout Maine.
“There’s been a lot of it,” said Wiscasset Police Sergeant Kathy Williams. “It’s a big thing across the state.”
Thieves frequently target vacant houses and power stations for their copper tubing and wiring. The most recent break-in at Mason Station saw the removal of over 100 pounds of copper.
According to Wiscasset Police Officer Jason Warlick, who investigated the Aug. 16 incident, the thieves entered the complex by boat and cut a hole in the perimeter fence. Fifty pounds of copper was left at the scene, indicating that the thieves were interrupted during their operation.
The break-in was the third in the last four to five months, Warlick said. While one man could have theoretically done the job, it was most likely a team of thieves who infiltrated Mason Station, Warlick said.
Warlick thinks that the thieves bring their goods primarily to independent scrap metal buyers, who don’t care if they’re buying stolen items. “Whoever is buying this stuff knows it’s stolen,” he said.
Warlick added that it was unlikely that big scrap metal buyers knowingly bought stolen goods.
“They have too much to lose,” he said.
Mason Station is one of several power stations hit throughout the state. In mid-July, nearly 5000 people in Brooksville were left without power for two hours after thieves stole copper wiring from a Bangor Hydro Electric Co. substation. A Central Maine Power substation in Topsham was hit twice over a seven-week span, resulting in the loss of $7000 worth of copper wiring. In May, another CMP substation in Woolwich was relieved of $2000 worth of copper.
Copper prices are currently hovering around $4 per pound, up from just over $1 in January 2009.
The spike in copper-related thefts has prompted some to explore toughening laws that make it more difficult to sell stolen goods. State Rep. Thomas Longstaff (D-Waterville) is currently in talks with Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey to determine if stricter statutes targeting the theft of precious metals would reduce copper thefts.
Rep. Longstaff said that he is looking into mandating that scrap metal dealers photocopy a seller’s identification card when purchasing scrap metal. Requiring sellers be paid via a mailed check rather than instantly is also being examined.
Longstaff said he was looking at a combination of increasing penalties and making it more difficult for thieves to sell their stolen goods.
Longstaff stressed, however, that his research into the issue was at a nascent stage. Any initiatives will wait until the Maine Police Chiefs Association meets to discuss the issue this fall.
“I want to hear where the Police Chiefs Association comes down,” Longstaff said.
Current state law requires scrap dealers to make a log of any purchase over $50 or 100 pounds, provide payment by check only, and record the name, address, and gender of the seller. The seller is also required to furnish a valid ID and sign a statement indicating that the goods being sold are not stolen.
Though he said he is expecting criticism from those who oppose greater regulation of small business, Longstaff said the costs of not toughening anti-theft statutes may ultimately outweigh the problems of more regulation.
“This regulation may be necessary due to the amount stolen and property damaged,” Longstaff said.
Some, like Officer Gary Caron of the Wiscasset Police Department, contend that laws already on the books are sufficient to combat copper thefts.
Both Caron and Warlick suggested that high profile targets such as Mason Station should be doing more to stop copper thefts. They said that more lighting and security cameras would help deter would be thieves.
“They need to be proactive,” Caron said.
Both officers said that there were not enough police to continually monitor Mason Station. They warned that if more security steps were not taken soon, thieves could accidentally electrocute themselves during a break-in, as has been the case in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Texas, potentially leaving property owners liable.
Even if tougher laws are passed, however, copper thefts will continue as long as prices remain high.
“It’s a hot commodity right now,” Sgt. Williams said.
