By Frank Ross

Based on the charges against him, Autral Cooper has been very active in the copper recycling business. Unfortunately for the businesses he is said to have visited, Cooper’s alleged recycling business model was based on stealing copper and recycling it into cash for his pocket.

This Fort Pierce, Florida resident has eluded capture for over a year, all the while racking up additional charges. When he was finally captured in Volusia County, near Daytona Beach, he had accumulated 24 warrants for his arrest. Cooper was being held without bond in the Volusia County Jail, awaiting a hearing on charges against him that include criminal mischief, grand theft and dealing in stolen property.

In addition to the numerous charges that he accumulated, stealing from six locations in Ft. Pierce, police in Daytona Beach said Cooper is suspected of stealing copper there as well.

To learn how you can protect your copper from thieves, read my post on being pro-active against copper crime. Thwarting Thieves You might also appreciate You Can Reduce The Rising Cost of Copper Crime.

Storm's optional security stamping is a deterrent to theft.

While protecting cable is a bit more challenging, Storm Copper, a nationwide leader in the manufacture of copper electrical components offers a service that can provide a strong deterrent to theft of other copper components such as ground bars.

Storm offers a stamping service that will imprint your company name, logo, phone number, or a Do Not Recycle message into each ground bar. Thieves will think twice before they spend time dismantling and stealing components that could get them arrested when they try to sell them.

Another deterrent to copper theft is a tinning option that Storm provides. Tin plating conceals the identity of valuable copper components without diminishing its effectiveness, and in the case of outdoor service, prevents corrosion which can degrade a grounding connection. Tin also makes the bars worthless for recycling.
You might also want to consider security bolts. These bolts require a special tool for removal, which makes it difficult, if not impossible for them to be removed by a wrench or pair of pliers. This after-market option is available through Storm Copper Components.

Check out these options at stormgrounding.com, or call their Electrical Contractor’s Hotline at 1-866-716-9773.

To see the photo or watch the video report, use this link to WESH news.