Mayor: Recent Copper Thefts Costing Century ‘Megabucks’

February 5, 2013

Recent copper thefts are hitting the Town of Century hard — to the tune of an estimated $30,000 in insurance deductibles.

During recent days, copper thieves hit all eight commercial air conditioning units outside the former town owned Van Nevel Helicopters building on Industrial Boulevard, and 10 of 14 units at the town’s Habitat Building on Pond Street.

According to Mayor Freddie McCall, the town’s insurance deductible is $5,000 per building.  While the complex on Pond Street is commonly referred to a the “Habitat Building”, it is actually five different buildings that comprised the old Carver Middle School.

“It’s sad for this world to be in this shape it is in,” McCall said of the thefts. “They didn’t get $200 worth of copper on the market….it’s going to cost us megabucks.”

Anyone with information on the crimes is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.

Pictured top: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene technician dusts a broken window for fingerprints at the former Van Nevel Helicopters building in Century. Pictured inset: The crime scene tech photographs damage to an air conditioning unit. Pictured below: The vacant town owned building was burglarized and copper was stripped from outside air conditioning units. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

6 Responses to “Mayor: Recent Copper Thefts Costing Century ‘Megabucks’”

  1. Armymajorswife on February 6th, 2013 9:32 am

    Security cameras may have been a good idea.

  2. fred on February 6th, 2013 7:51 am

    If they keep it up, they may unintentionally collect a little lead from one of the property owners. Not suggesting a course of action, just making an observation.

  3. 429SCJ on February 6th, 2013 5:32 am

    If those people were put on a chain gang for 15 years, performing back breaking labor 6 days a week, they would get copper thievery out of their system.

    If our politicians need something to legislate, how about stiff crimminal penalties for metal theft, with a bonus award of time for thefts at Government or Municiple facilities.

    @Sam, those individuals may be a burden on us, but only because we allow them to be.

  4. SW on February 5th, 2013 5:28 pm

    Now might be a good time for the town to get out of the landlord business.

  5. Randy on February 5th, 2013 11:31 am

    need better neighorhood watch .. i always have my cell since i joined

  6. Sam on February 5th, 2013 7:55 am

    Too many individuals that are sitting around with no jobs, or desire to get one. They have been raised on the government dole, quit school, never worked, got on drugs and now have to support their habit.just my opinion

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News