Copper theft is becoming an increasing problem as the material remains to be an expensive commodity.
At about 8.40am on Thursday, July 21 a 26-year-old Whyalla man was reported for theft and deception after allegedly selling goods to a local scrap metal dealer, which were either stolen or unlawfully obtained.
Between Tuesday, July 19 and Thursday, July 21 unknown thieves also entered a scrap yard in Mullaquana and allegedly stole property that was later recovered at another scrap yard in Whyalla.
CVA Metal owner Colin Anderson said his business has been broken into three times this year.
He said stolen goods have included copper brass, truck spotlights and two grinders.
He said the last time he was broken into the thieves stole about $1200 worth of stripped copper cable.
The current buying price for scrap copper was about $8000 a ton.
Whyalla Police acting operations manager Sergeant Peter Murray said police were certainly concerned about copper theft and it has been an on and off problem for a few years.
Sergeant Murray said SA Police has a corporate state-wide operation in regards to precious metals, which targets this kind of criminal behaviour.
