Two hundred and sixty thousand dollars worth of property was stolen in Bradley County.
Bob Gault, Bradley County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer said, "The most recent case that we had in the southern part of the county, near the Georgia line, was one of the larger thefts that we have seen based on the owner of the properties estimates." Someone stole two heat and air conditioner units, a generator and several feet of wire from a house and another building. Gault says investigators normally check with copper dealers and scrap metal yards first.
Gault said, "Some folks believe they are taking it to dealers in north Georgia. For the most part, most of the copper dealers cooperate with us and our investigators when we are investigating a case."
There are a number of copper dealers in Bradley County. Mike Hodnett is the owner of All Metal Salvage in Cleveland, Tennessee. He says the business sees prices go up and down everyday. Hodnett said, "The copper today is at $2.50 per pound. It doesn't take a lot you can see that add up." Hodnett says they do everything to try to prevent stolen metals coming into their business. They have surveillance cameras and will notify the police with anything suspicious.
Gault said, "Our deputies have been successful in apprehending facts and tips from citizens who see suspicious activity, and that has been able to make arrests quickly." If anyone has any information regarding this you are urged to call the Bradley County Sheriff's Office. Their Crime Tip Hotline is 423-728-7336.
