It always happens, everyone is surprised that it happens, and nothing ever changes.  What is it?  Copper robbers. 

Scrap copper, along with aluminum and some other metals, has increased to the point that thieves are now stealing air conditioners, water pipes and pretty much anything else that is made of copper.  It happens every time the price of copper goes up.

In an article for RealEstateJournal.com,  Sarah Schaefer Munoz and Paul Glader report that. "In the past several months, police departments across the country have reported a surge in the number of copper-related thefts at homes, businesses and elsewhere. Police have reported everything from copper vases swiped from gravesites to more serious thefts, such as the copper wire stolen recently from a power substation in Oklahoma City that utility officials say caused a six-hour power outage for 4,000 customers."

Something else for builders and absentee owners to worry about.