Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Steal the Pipes, Ditch the House

As metal prices soar and housing prices dives, thieves find value in copper

By Clay Dillow,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 2, 2008 3:04 PM CDT

(Newser) – Rising metal prices have rendered some foreclosed homes worth less than their plumbing, and thieves are stripping the vacant abodes of copper, aluminum, and brass to fuel a lucrative overseas trade. Several states have hardened penalties for metal theft, but skyrocketing nonferrous metals prices have thieves risking steel cages for copper pipes, reports Reuters.

Copper prices have increased five-fold over the past three years, and many scrap traders estimate more than 80% goes to feed the booming development in India and China. Meanwhile, the subprime mortgage crunch has left empty houses an easy mark: In Cleveland, some boarded-up houses are marked "No copper, only PVC" to deter would-be crooks.

Chinese migrant workers collect scrapped metals for recycling. Demand in China and India have driven the price of nonferrous metals skyward.
Chinese migrant workers collect scrapped metals for recycling. Demand in China and India have driven the price of nonferrous metals skyward.   (Getty Images (by Event))
The nationwide rash of home foreclosures has made vacant properties into easy marks for thieves of metal piping and wiring.
The nationwide rash of home foreclosures has made vacant properties into easy marks for thieves of metal piping and wiring.   (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
As housing prices fall and metal prices soar, some homes are becoming worth less than their copper pipes.
As housing prices fall and metal prices soar, some homes are becoming worth less than their copper pipes.   (KRT Photos)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

$26B Mortgage Settlement a 'Modest' Help: Experts

Banks Ink $26B Deal to Help 2M Homeowners

Perry Gave Huge Tax Grants to Subprime Lenders

SEC Poised to Charge Fannie, Freddie Execs

Be a 'Foreclosure Supervisor'—for $10 an Hour


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne