New Problem for Sandy Homeowners: Copper Bandits

At least 32 pipe thefts in one community: police
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 21, 2013 11:49 AM CST
New Problem for Sandy Homeowners: Copper Bandits
This Friday, Jan. 18, 2013 aerial file photo shows oceanfront homes on New York's Fire Island, damaged when Superstorm Sandy struck on Oct. 29, 2012.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Homeowners in one Jersey shore community have already seen their houses ravaged by superstorm Sandy—and now copper bandits are adding insult to injury, NBC New York reports. Police say at least 32 copper pipe thefts have been reported in the area, many of them from still-vacant homes. And the true number is probably "at least double," says a lieutenant. The mayor of Stafford is trying to start up neighborhood watch again, but it's hard: "There are so few people there," he says. (More Hurricane Sandy stories.)

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