Copper thieves turning to taking vases, frames from graves in region

DUNKLIN COUNTY, Mo. -- Thieves who have been notorious for ripping off farmers, area residences and businesses by stealing copper and other profitable materials are now literally sinking to new depths to fill their pockets.

According to local authorities, area investigators are now being faced with a new kind of copper-related theft in which criminals are stealing the aluminum, copper and bronze vases and picture frames from the headstones of area graves.

According to police, cemeteries throughout Dunklin County, including neighboring areas such as Pemiscot County, have been victimized by people looking to make money off of the deceased.

The vases that sit alongside head stones at various burial plots are being taken. The metal frames that surround portraits of the deceased or religious artwork are also being stolen.

Local businesses that specialize in the sale of head stones and other related accessories say the cost of one flower vase alone averages about $250.

However, returning the vases is not exactly what these thieves have in mind when it comes to making money off of the stolen goods.

Most will take the five- to 10-pound items to local recycling companies and salvage yards who are paying top dollar for the stolen merchandise, no questions asked.

In June 2007, when copper-related thefts were rampant throughout the region, primarily at local farms, the Daily Dunklin Democrat contacted an area recycling company to discuss the recent rise in such thefts and inquire about the process that sellers go through when turning in these types of goods for money.

The representative who answered the phone said that to his knowledge there was no law saying a recycling company is required or liable to ask where the scrap materials come from or for any other information aside from how much the weight of the load totals so that the seller can be paid.

Since then, reports have been made that such companies are asking for information from the seller's driver's license to use as identifying information if necessary. However, frequent sellers of such materials have reported that many times they are only asked if they have ever sold there before and, if the answer is yes, they are allowed to proceed with the transaction with no further questions being asked, such as where the materials came from.

Currently, local recycling companies are paying about $3.15 per pound for No. 1 copper and comparable amounts for other recyclable materials.

Many people, especially those who have been victimized by these kinds of thieves, have a problem with the way the process works.

"If it were not as easy as it is to take these items to local recycling companies and get paid big bucks for what is point-blank stolen property, then I guarantee you this area would see a major reduction in these types of crimes," said Keith Emmons, a farmer who owns land around the Peach Orchard community where a radiator was taken off a power unit while sitting in the field in June.

"I think that many of these owners and employees know that much of the stuff coming through their business was not acquired legitimately and yet they still accept it," Emmons said.

Nearly one year ago, Emmons told the Democrat that he and other area farmers were fed up with the thefts and were working together to recruit the assistance of area state representatives to help push the issue and pass legislation that would require recycling companies to not only ask if the material was acquired legitimately but also make the process harder for dishonest individuals by requiring them to fill out in-depth paperwork requesting information, including the driver's license and vehicle license plate number as well as name and address and any other contact information available on the person selling scrap metal, copper, or aluminum.

Since then, local authorities, state representatives, state senators and Gov. Matt Blunt have worked together to try to create a resolution.

In early December a series of meetings was held across the state regarding the issue.

The opinion of many present was that something should be done to regulate the scrap yards buying the stolen property such as requiring them to ask for photo identification when accepting metals such as copper and aluminum.

Other suggestions included having scrap yards pay for the items with a check instead of cash, leaving a paper trail for authorities to follow when investigating stolen property.

Suggestions were also made that current laws be changed to allow the thief or thieves to be charged with the aggregate cost of property damage and replacement costs as well as the cost of the metal stolen.

As of December, thieves were generally only being charged with the amount of metal they stole while those who were victimized were left to replace the damage left behind, which could still amount to thousands of dollars.

In January, prosecutors did start filing charges of not only theft for these crimes, but also began seeking out charges of property damage where it was applicable.

However, even though officials have worked with area recycling companies to do their part in cutting down on these types of crimes, area sellers report that not all scrap yards require identification or keep track of what property was brought in by which individual. The area businesses which accept these goods also disclosed in March they still continue to pay sellers cash for metals they bring in.

One of the most effective tools today for deterring these crimes from happening continues to be the community's involvement and support, according to local authorities.

According to Dunklin County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jonce Chidister, the reason the majority of copper thieves are apprehended is because of information provided by concerned citizens of Dunklin County.

"We encourage people in the area to report to authorities any suspicious activity they witness, specifically regarding the recent cases surrounding copper theft," Chidister said. "The information provided by the concerned citizens of this county is how many of these cases are solved."

Regarding the newest cases that have surfaced of copper-related thefts, officials say the community stands to have an effect by keeping their eyes open when visiting or driving past local cemeteries, just to make sure those who are standing around the grave site are leaving flowers, rather than taking the metal containers the blossoms rest in.