Thieves rip metal from sprinkler systems
EUGENE, Ore. - Businesses in West Eugene were hit by copper thieves over the weekend. This time, the bandits dug into lawn irrigation systems for the lucrative metal.
Matt Yokum, maintenance manager for US SportsPlex, said it was an early morning mess at their business on Monday.
"It's a pain in the side," Yokum said.
The parking lot of US SportsPlex was left underwater after someone stole the pipes from one of their backflow valves.
"Really all they have to do because it's on a PVC pipe, is just kick it in, and boom they got it," Yokum said.
US SportsPlex isn't the only business in the neighborhood that was hit over the weekend.
Employees at Precision Machine showed up to work Monday morning and discovered a similar situation with their backflow valve.
"They literally just strung a chain around it and yanked it out of the ground," said Jim Miller, Owner of Precision Machine.
Miller said he has security cameras pointing toward his business and the parking lot. However, there is no camera pointing toward the street near the backflow valve.
"So it's one we didn't see coming," Miller said.
Miller said his business works closely with the scrap yards and that he has put the word out to them about the recent copper thefts.
"Unless you're a plumbing contractor, you shouldn't have them," Miller said. "If someone brings one in, they'll probably be asked where they got it."
The crimes are expected to cost up to $1,000 for repairs at each business.
"When we're barely staying afloat, any cost is a major cost," Yokum said.
For now, Yokum said his business is taking extra precautions.
"I'll anchor it down and they'll have a tough time stealing that next time, I'll tell you that," Yokum said.
US SportsPlex and Precision Machine reported the crime to Eugene police and the Eugene Water and Electric Board. The two businesses are still waiting to find out the results of the investigation.
