TEXARKANA POLICE DEPARTMENT
TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6/12/06
Officer Chris Rankin
Public Information Officer
903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)
903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)
Texarkana Arkansas Police are continuing to investigate a theft that occurred over the weekend at the Burman-Pharr building. Renovation contractors who returned to work on Monday morning discovered that a large quantity of copper tubing and scrap was missing from inside the building. It appeared as though several of the rough-in plumbing fixtures had been torn from the flooring and wall.
At this time it appears as though most of the material was sold as scrap to Tri-State Metal. Tri-State Metal officials have provided good descriptions of possible suspects in this case and arrests are pending. Tri State metal company policy is to obtain picture I.D. from anyone who attempts to sell items which may have been stolen. The total theft value in this case is believed to be in excess of $500.00.
Police have recently seen an increase in thefts of items ranging from electrical wire and plumbing to air conditioner units. The reason for these thefts is mostly due to the fact that copper can currently be sold for between $2.10 to $2.45 per pound. This is compared to $.64 per pound for aluminum.
Property owners are encouraged to secure any vacant structures to prevent thefts of plumbing/wiring fixtures. Police encourage residents to report any suspicious persons who attempt to steal scrap metal from residences.
Crimestoppers will pay up to $1000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for any felony crime. The number to CrimeStoppers is (903)793-STOP, and all callers will remain anonymous.
Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.