Metal Theft “Epidemic” Strikes Desert

Skyrocketing prices for metals like copper and bronze have created a major problem for residents in the Coachella Valley. Thieves will stop at nothing to steal household items, decorative statues, even plaques in graveyards.

Local artist John Branstetter has seen the rising prices in his medium. “The cost of bronze has gone up about 500% in the last ten years,” said Branstetter.

The current going rate for bronze is about $2.80 per pound while copper goes for about $3.80 per pound. The rise in thefts comes as no surprise for Indio police officer Ben Guitron. “It could obviously be contributed to the economical challenges because people are finding it easier to steal it, recycle it, but the damage that it causes is extensive,” said Guitron.

The cost to replace or repair damage from the metal thefts is often more than thieves earn. Many of the victims cannot afford to fix their items. “Unfortunately a lot of the thieving is from people who really can’t afford to have stuff stolen from them who can’t afford insurance and stuff like that,” said Branstetter.

Once thieves steal the item, they take the metal to recycling centers to redeem them for cash. “What’s troublesome is that when the steal the bronze or they steal the plaque, or whatever it is, is that it’s at the recycling center in 100 pieces,” said Office Guitron. “You would think the recycling center would have the sense to say this was mounted somewhere or is a piece of art work. Why is it at my shop?”

However, local recycling centers like Palm Springs Recycling in Cathedral City keep a close eye on their customers. “It’s not happening here, not in my facility,” said owner Rick Bracamonte. “Other yards may have it being done, but here, we watch real closely. I’m not going to risk my business for somebody stealing copper.”

New state laws require owners to snap pictures of the item, fingerprint their customers, and keep proper documentation in case of any foul play.

However, Officer Guitron says the problem does not rest in local centers, but thieves are taking the items out of the desert and into places like Los Angeles and Ontario for better prices. “We weren’t finding it locally, so we were finding they were doing it out of the area,” said Guitron. “And out of the Coachella Valley there’s thousands of other recycling areas, and it just becomes a difficult task.”

Police officers were able to track down the life-size statues of Daniel and Helen Leahy, the founders of the ABC Recovery Center. The statue was stolen in Decemeber and is valued at $65,000. However, like many of these pieces of art, the worth goes far beyond the cost.

“That had sentimental value, it’s not really the value of what it cost to make it,” said Officer Guitron. “It’s the relationship to the community for people who have great benefits at the recovery center, that’s bettered their lives, that’s made a difference.”

Thieves have gone so far as to target cemeteries to steal plaques of head stones.

“You wonder what these people are thinking that they would actually go to somebody’s gravesite and take their bronze marker for their own means and gain,” said Kathleen Jurasky, who manages Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City. “Not even taking into consideration how the family’s going to feel about their loved ones’ gravesite being destroyed. That’s heart wrenching, that’s pretty low.”

Thieves have yet to hit her location, but she is prepared to take action if they do. “No one wants to find an empty hole that’s like cutting a hole out of your heart,” said Jurasky. “So we would take measures to facilitate some kind of security to guard against that.”

Officer Guitron says the best way to prevent metal theft is to be a vigilant member of the community, but he also offers these tips:

-Replace plaques with other materials, and keep the original in a safe place -Spray copper tubing with a thick, waterproof spray paint to decrease the value of the item -Put cages around air-conditioning units and exposed copper pipes -Put locks on outdoor electrical panels -Make sure to keep the outside of your home well-lit