Carroll County law enforcement authorities say a national trend of thefts of raw materials ? such as a copper and steel ? is hitting home in the county.
“It?s becoming some highly desired stuff to steal,” said Sgt. Chuck Moore, of the Maryland State Police, after his agency and the county Sheriff?s Office reported several recent incidents of high-priced raw materials being stolen from area businesses.
“They?re taking precious metals and selling them,” said Sgt. Phil Kasten, spokesman for the Sheriff?s Office.
“It will likely continue as long as the demand is up.”
Economist Peter Morici, a professor at the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business, said the price of raw materials has risen because of mass building in China.
“It has become more valuable. ? Steel and copper are the building blocks of industry,” he said.
Capt. Clarence Lust of the Sheriff?s Office said he has instructed deputies to “think outside the box” when looking for suspects.
“You?ve got contractors who have to perform jobs,” he said. “They could be burglarizing places and using them for their own construction deals.”
Police nationwide have seen an increase in incidents, which include the theft of copper plumbing supplies, electrical wire and flower vases from a North Carolina cemetery, according to a statement from the sheriff?s office.
Between May 26 and 30, about $2,000 worth of stainless steel was stolen from a Hampstead business and $6,000 worth of scrap metal was stolen from a Taneytown business. Between June 4 and 5, $430 worth of copper cable was stolen from a Westminster business and $4,900 worth of copper sheeting from a Greenmount company.
