Today I got a call from the detective handling the recent break-in of our rehab property... they made an arrest!

It seems that the copper thieves had been found to rob over 75 (that are known) properties in the Northwest Grand Rapids Area!

The bad news... there will be a slim chance of receiving any monetary compaensation, and I will never get back my charger/radio from these bad guys.

If the police are asking me if I have any other vacant homes in the area, that leads me to believe that this is just the tip of the iceberg that's happening.

Tip of the day: If you have a vacant house that has not been broken into, odds are that you are next... diminish all of the 'flags' that you can: cover easy viewing windows, turn on interior lights on at night, have exterior lighting, remove the newspapers piled up, etc.

Jeff Lund

Five Star Real Estate  

 
Posted by Jeff Lund on 04/09/2008 02:47 PM   Comments (10)   detective, grand rapids, property, jeff lund  
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10 Comments on Copper Pipe Theft- I just Got Robbed Last Night! Part 2- Arrest Made!

APR
09
2008
339,635 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
This is a growing business in Georgia we have copper pipes, water heaters, interior doors, toilets, Heat pumps you name taken from houses. Vacant house the new chop shop.. need cash quick find a vacant house pull wait you can .. resell it to some builder / remodel move on
2:58pm • #1

Jeff sorry to hear you got ripped off, get a copy of the arest report to verify the theft...your  homeowners insurance should take care of replacing it.

College student usually love the free rent and warm place to live. I know some of them that really like being homebodies and since they don"t have much...can move from house to house...and sometimes you end up haveing a few of them in the house. You could also charge them for the water and electric so they will be more conservative.
3:01pm • #2
These thieve steal $50.00 worth of pipe that cost $500 to $5000.00 to replace and sell it for $5.00.  It really is a shame.
3:27pm • #3
Jeff, It's a shame that people are so desparate to steal copper piping. sorry to hear that you won't be able recoup anything from the loss.
4:11pm • #4
APR
21
2008
249,448 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
Hopefully you  have insurance.  The bad guys are out there for sure.
1:09am • #5
JUN
05
2008

Big problem in Battle Creek also...I had one of my properties hit a few months ago and I am seeing more and more furnaces, duct work, wiring getting ripped off...I think that engraving an address on copper pipes could catch some of the theives because they have to show ID to get paid at the scrap-yards...the people that hit my house took plumbing, eaves and gutters, even the kitchen sink??? I think that the people that run scrapyards know what is going on and they know who comes back on a regular basis and should be prosecuted just as harshly as the people that strip the houses...
11:13pm • #6
JUN
06
2008

This happens a lot in Dayton, OH.  I had a few break ins on vacant property.  I have also seen chain link fenses and metal siding stolen in the same area.
10:03am • #7
JUN
07
2008

Robert,

Yes, I have insurance, but my deductible is 1K, and the losses are about 750, so I won't file in hopes of keeping my reates low...

Jeff 
5:11am • #8
JUN
09
2008

some contractors i know bought a camera and dvr set from costco, place up a notice sign and let it run all night. it seems to do the trick for them.
6:00pm • #9
OCT
21
2008

Vandalism of vacant homes has increased considerably since the rise of foreclosures began.  Beyond copper pipe, thieves are taking wiring, appliances and even granite counter-tops.  We have had a large increase in sales of LaserShield Wireless Home Alarms from contractors, property managers and banks to protect their REO or spec homes.  www.LaserShieldDirect.com
Bryan
6:01pm • #10


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Jeff Lund

Grand Rapids, MI

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Jeff Lund-Income Property Specialist- Bellabay Realty LLC

Address: P.O. box 726, Rockford, MI, 49341

Cell Phone: (616) 540-0044

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