There’s been a rash of copper thefts in Garden City, the thieves targeting sprinkler systems and air conditioning units, sometimes while the residents are still at home.
7 Action News talked with one of the victims, Richard Watkins about how he found out his sprinkler system had been damaged and the copper stolen.
"There were three police cars and they were all over at my neighbors house, so I went out and asked them what was going on and they said they got their copper stolen off their sprinkler systems,” said Watkins.
"I didn't think I was involved, I thought it was just them, I just glanced over and didn't notice it and then after the police left, I went over and took a close look and I found out that I was involved,” said Watkins.
He went around the side of his house and found the copper line connecting the water from his home to the sprinkler system had been cut right out.
A short piece of copper, but something scrappers can sell for fast cash.
"I'm extremely frustrated, this has been a pretty nice neighborhood and we are not used to this kind of vandalism,” said Watkins.
There’s even a neighborhood watch in place now because of the high number of thefts. Volunteers are patrolling the streets at all hours looking for anything suspicious to report to the police.
"Really upset, this is a nice neighborhood and all of the sudden this is happening, so I got involved, probably about 40-50 of us involved,” said Norman Whiteside, a volunteer.
For Watkins, fixing the sprinkler lines will cost between $300-400.
"We don't even know if we want to get it fixed because we don't know if they're going to come back and take it again,” said Watkins.
If you have any information that can help, call Garden City Police, 734-793-1700.
