by Amanda Stanzilis, KENS 5 Some people don't want to turn on their heat to save money on their CPS Energy bills. But Bexar County Sheriff's Deputies say you may have something else to worry about when it comes to raising your bill: copper crooks. Deputies say since salvage yards can no longer legally buy telephone copper wire, thieves are now targeting electrical wire. Sgt. James Hancock says they cut it directly at the junction boxes. Last summer, copper theft was a problem across the nation. However, when the price of copper plummeted, so did the number of thefts. Now the price of copper is back on the rise. Deputies say the areas that are getting hit the hardest are subdivisions that are still under construction. In one area, 5000 feet of wire was recently stolen. Hancock says that large amount could cost CPS Energy nearly $120,000 to replace. Hancock says, "CPS has to pass that cost along. CPS, in the long run, is a business. They can't afford to take this kind of loss and not pass it along." Robert Rowe, the chief of corporate security for CPS, released this statement: "Our security team is on it. We're aware of the increase in copper theft. We're taking preventative measures. For those who continue to attempt to steal energized copper, please know you're putting your life at risk."

Source