Thieves Stealing Copper From Homes Damaged From Flood

11/17/2012 (Updated 10:20:26 PM)

Some of last year's flood victims in Vestal are facing some new challenges as they try to rebuild their damaged homes.
   
Vestal Police say in the Twin Orchards area thieves are breaking into  homes undergoing renovations as well as abandoned homes, stealing the copper plumbing and selling it.  Authorities say there have been dozens of complaints. There are several homes that were recently broken into on Oak and Pearl Streets.  Police say typically a window is pried open, allowing the thieves to go into basements were old and sometimes new copper plumbing is removed.

"It's kind of a crime of opportunity.  There are a lot of people working in the neighborhoods, construction workers, contractors, so someone who could be a legitimate contractor might fit into the neighborhood more than they would normally.  And when people aren't home that's the easier time obviously for people to break in," said Sgt Christopher Streno of Vestal Police Department.

Police say they are working with the places where the copper would be sold.  If you have any information on these recent incidents, Vestal Police are urging you to call them.