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Crime & Safety

Copper Thieves Getting Desperate, Police Say

Expensive irrigation valves taken, thieves allegedly bypassed anti-theft measure in one case.

At least two more thefts of copper water valves have occurred in Glendora, most likely overnight, as police continue to work to apprehend suspects.

One of the most recent thefts happened at , 1350 E. Route 66, the second at an apartment complex on the corner of S. Elwood Avenue and Route 66, police said. In both cases, thieves shut the water off to the valves and used a reciprocating saw to chop them off, said Lt. Jamie Caldwell of Glendora Police.

"They cut the copper pipe and it's probably a one-and-a-half-inch copper pipe. They're worth quite a bit of money," Caldwell said.

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In some cases, to combat these thefts, metal cages will be fixed to the area the valves are attached to prevent access, but at the apartment complex the thieves simply cut the locks to the cage and removed the valve.

"There was actually was a cage over it and they cut the locks to the cage," Caldwell said. "These guys are desperate."

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Anywhere from six to eight copper thefts have occurred in the past two weeks, Caldwell said, just during his shift alone.

One of the most brazen in recent memory was the theft of around 200 pounds of from light poles at about two weeks ago. Thieves reportedly caused $7,000 in damage.

So far, there are no descriptions of suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call Glendora Police at (626) 914-8250.

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