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Thieves Target Copper in Fort Smith

Copper thieves make their rounds in Fort Smith.

Copper thieves make their rounds in Fort Smith.

“Yeah you can see up here where they’ve cut the copper,” said Terry Lovell, a victim.

Lovell says someone recently stole copper from an air conditioning unit and cooling system at his building on North 50th Street. “Just come back here and look and they’re gone,” he said, “It’s gone. Nothing works.”

Fort Smith police took three similar reports this week. “People are broke,” said Lovell, “The economy’s bad, money’s money.”

Bud’s Recycling on Midland Boulevard takes scrap metal. Workers say they are required by law to get a photo ID, thumbprint of the person selling copper, and a picture of what’s sold. It does not stop there. “A picture of them here,” said Nick Johnson, manager at Bud’s Recycling, “Their signature saying that they didn’t steal and we have to have a form filled out saying where they go tit.”

Management posted a sign at Bud’s Recycling so customers know exactly what information they have to provide. He said, “We can’t really tell when stuff’s stolen or when it’s not so we just have to take precautions to cover you know our rear.”

Lovell estimates the thieves set him back several thousand dollars. “Do the best you can to protect what you have, but thieves have a way of doing things,” said Lovell, “You can have all the protection you want, but they’ll still get it.”

Lovell plans to install a fence and surveillance cameras.

Johnson says they put information about customers into an online database, so police can search if there is a theft report.

If you have information about the thefts, call River Valley Crimestoppers at 479-78-CRIME. You will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.

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