Copper theft is on the rise on St. Croix (and the entire territory), and businesses are suffering because of the recent epidemic, leaving owners the frustration of forking out cash to replace the stolen goods.
Lenny Richardson, who owns the restaurant Luncheria, was shocked to discover that the thieves had jumped over his locked six-foot-tall fence and stolen two big rolls of copper.
“They also took every piece of copper from my deep fryer that was sitting outside, and removed copper wiring leading to my refrigerator,” he said, shaking his head.
Rather than calling the police, Richardson decided to move his refrigerator and fryer inside to avoid more theft, and said he wonders if he’s going to lose more down the road.
Bernard Victor, who owns some buildings in Christiansted, said that on Friday one of his business buildings was stripped of all of the electrical wiring. He reported it to the V.I. Police Department, but they have yet to identify any suspects.
Although security officials with V.I. Waste Management Authority don’t allow scavenging at the Anguilla landfill, the scrap metal and copper somehow still manages to get stolen, according to Kevin Ruffler, who owns V.I. Recycling Company.
And it’s not only copper that thieves want, it’s any precious metal—even aluminum, according to National Park Service Superintendent Joel Tutein, who is upset about the four NPS Christiansted buildings that were robbed two weeks ago.
“It’s an epidemic; there is no place on the island that is safe. Any precious metal is subject to be taken by criminals. This whole street has been affected by stealing,” he said, pointing toward Company Street.
The thieves stole gutters off the Steeple Building, as well as all the copper from electrical panels on the other buildings, which he estimates will cost more than $10,000 to replace. Tutein thinks one solution to the problem would be to regulate copper like they do for the cash-for-gold program. Merchants who buy gold are required to ask sellers for valid identification, mailing address, and telephone number and then must send the information to the police department, where they can check sale against items reportedly stolen.
“The community also needs to be more vigilant in looking out for each other,” Tutein said, adding that he was grateful for the tips by citizens.
One dealer, Francis Metal, is trying to deter criminals by requesting valid identification for all sales, including copper. They are currently paying $2.60 a pound of copper, while the national average is around $4.
Francis Metals’ owner Francisco Agueda said that he has called the police several times, and they have come and arrested thieves.
“I won’t buy from people who don’t have I.D. I don’t want thieves to be selling here,” he said.
Scot McChain, president of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, represents 300 local businesses and is planning to poll members on how many have been affected by metal thefts.
“It’s a sign of the times in this rough economy. For the first time, some recycling resources are available on St. Croix, and people are just doing what they can to survive” he said.
