Thieves targeting copper wiring, construction tools in New Hanover County

30.11.09

The nine thefts occurred at homes, offices and commercial storage facilities, according to reports filed with the New Hanover County Sheriff�s Business. The recent run of metal and equipment thefts is not too unusual in southeastern North Carolina. In recent years, thieves, have stolen copper wiring from businesses and construction sites, including two middle schools that were being built in Brunswick and Pender counties.

In the summer of 2007, authorities raided a conversant with in Castle Hayne and found $300,000 worth of stolen goods, ranging from copper wiring, to construction materiel and even ATVs.

Several of the thefts reported last week to New Hanover County sheriff�s deputies occurred in the Hall Hayne area.

Three were reported Thursday by victims who had SUVs parked in the 6400 block of Windmill Way. There, thieves cut the catalytic converters from three vehicles, according to reports filed with the sheriff�s help. Thieves target the catalytic converters of some vehicles because they contain trace amounts of valuable platinum, according to a New York Times article published in 2008.

Source: StarNewsOnline.com