Stolen Copper Recovered In Colorado Springs

Theft of copper from city and private property has been an ongoing problem in Colorado Springs. However, police acted quickly Thursday to recover a quantity of the valuable metal that was stolen only the night before.

At about 3 p.m., police recovered an estimated $500 worth of copper in a container at Koscove’s Metal Recycling on Colorado Avenue. Officers said the metal was taken from streetlight posts, a popular target of copper thieves.

“A few times a week, there’s somebody that maybe seems suspicious or doesn’t look like a business owner,” said employee Suzie Koscove. “Or maybe they’re from a different state and all of a sudden has a large amount of material.”

Police did not release information about suspects in the case, describing it as an ongoing investigation.

Koscove said the recycling shop carefully gathers ID and other information about each customer, so that it can be given to police to investigate a theft. She said most customers are legitimate, and that very few are dishonest.

Most copper legally acquired and sold for recycling comes from construction workers or property owners doing home improvement projects. The metal’s value is as much as $4 a pound.