COLUMBUS, Ohio -- More than 82,000 Franklin County American Electric customers were in the dark after a copper theft at a Southwest Side AEP substation Wednesday.
Copper-wire theft puts residents and thieves in danger and costs power companies and their customers thousands.
Wednesday's theft was the second this week. Homes and businesses lost power.
AEP said 11,000 Grove City homes and businesses lost power after a copper-wire theft Monday.
AEP said Wednesday's theft was similar to Monday's.
How can power companies stop thefts and keep customers happy and safe?
NBC 4's Marcus Thorpe DUG DEEPER into the continuing crime.
First, thefts are dangerous and inconvenient.
Second, thefts are costing customers and power companies in the short and long term.
"The equipment they are going through is high-voltage. It's deep within the station, going through things that with the slightest touch could electrocute you," AEP's Terri Flora said.
AEP officials said the cost of repairing the damage runs more than $25,000 per site.
AEP also said it's taking steps to stop the thefts. It has stepped up security measures and has installed devices at some locations that emit sounds when people are on the premises illegally.
The price of copper has been on a roller-coaster ride during the last year, which also caused a rise and fall in thefts.
Copper prices were at $4 a pound in June 2008. Prices fell to about a $1.30 a pound in December of 2008, but copper prices are back up to almost $3 a pound currently.
If you see anything suspicious, you are encouraged to call AEP or your local police department.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail stories@nbc4i.com.
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