NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The City of North Little Rock has been facing a growing number of copper thefts recently.
North Little Rock Electric is one of multiple departments across the state and the country dealing with the rising number of these crimes.
"We've had 10-15 instances in the last couple of weeks,” Keith McCourt, Director of Administrative Services with North Little Rock Electric.
But, why exactly are these thieves targeting copper? Well, McCourt said that thieves are stealing the copper from streetlights and buildings throughout the area to sell at scrapyards.
The thefts are getting more brazen as a recent one even took place at Dickey-Stephens Park.
While McCourt said the thieves will make "pennies on the dollar" from the copper, it could force a big expense as the city will have to pay up big time.
"Just Dickey-Stephens alone is, with material and man hours and everything, that's going to cost us $40,000-$50,000 to replace,” McCourt said.
These acts are dangerous too -- both for those cutting the wire and stealing the copper, and those in the community.
“The safety concern with it all is, of course, street lights not being on at night,” McCourt said, “They're leaving live wires just sitting there for the public to walk right past."
North Little Rock has seen more and more of these thefts recently, including one that was just discovered Friday morning near Lynch Drive.
It's not just in North Little Rock though.
The Pine Bluff Police Department (PBPD) arrested two suspected copper thieves on Thursday, with officers urging community members to report any suspicious activity to keep this trend from continuing.
Lt. Deshawn Bennett with the PBPD said in one instance, thieves burned plastic to get to the copper wires.
While Pine Bluff police found the people responsible for their instance, an investigation is still ongoing in North Little Rock.
"Other city agencies, police and everything, are working very hard to try to figure out who's doing this and stop them,” McCourt said.
North Little Rock Police are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest.
If you see or know anything, you can call the North Little Rock Police Department tip line at 501-680-8439.