Scrap metal prices make farm eqipment a bigger target for thieves

Jennifer Hemmingsen of The Gazette in Cedar Rapids reports, "As scrap prices cause metal thefts to soar, thieves are increasingly looking to Iowa farmsteads for heavy payloads like hog feeders and other equipment, police say. Already this year, Iowa law enforcement departments have identified 105 metal thefts, items that were stolen to sell for scrap, instead of for their own sake, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Last year, there were 96 . . . up from 34 in 2005." (Read more)

The department's Jim Saunders tells Pat Curtis of Radio Iowa, "The thieves are expanding their thefts to rural farm locations. They're stealing metal hog feeders or other equipment made of galvanized and stainless steel." Saunders urged owners of valuable metal objects "to consider installing motion-sensitive lights and surveillance cameras to deter potential thieves," Curtis reports. "He says it's also a good idea to secure buildings containing tools or metal objects with quality locks. Saunders adds that placing unique markings on metal items can help in identifying the stolen material." (Read more)