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Marc Giauque and Chris Kaye reportingHigh prices are making for a hot market in scrap metal, and that's creating new temptation for thieves. It's gone beyond stealing wire from a dumpster, or copper tubing from a construction site.
Thieves have started to set their sights on aluminum. UDOT spokesperson Bethany Eller says they've noticed some attempts to steal highway guardrails.
Bethany Eller, UDOT: "They haven't actually succeeded in stealing those but in the attempts they have caused quite a bit of damage."
Eller says the damage being done is costing the taxpayers money.
Bethany Eller, UDOT: "They're removing some of the bolts, we've even seen people use saws and try to cut through some of the aluminum, so we've been able to do spot repairs of those things."
Officials say the price of aluminum is at an 18-year high and thieves take the metal to recycling centers for cash, usually to support a drug habit.
Copper is also particularly valuable right now.
Don Lewon, Utah Metal Works: "If copper dropped a dollar a pound it would still be well above its old high."
Lewon says prices for all metals are high right now. But he doesn't think price is an issue with thieves.
Don Lewon, Utah Metal Works: "It doesn't matter if copper is fifty cents or three dollars and fifty cents they'll steal."
Lewon says, on a weekly basis, they'll simply turn down a potential customer because something may not add up.
Don Lewon, Utah Metal Works: "There's some very obvious things and then there are some things where we get caught by surprise."
If they do accept material, they'll make sure to get the customer's name and address. Lewon says sometimes they simply don't know the source.
Don Lewon, Utah Metal Works: "You're guessing and turning someone down and were having to do it, because we don't want to become involved in something we think might be stolen."
Around the country, police say thieves have tried taking nearly anything metal or aluminum, from park benches, to guardrails, to metal concrete forms from construction sites.
Mike Trapp: "I have had trailers stolen from me full of concrete tools."
But builder Mike Trapp is surprised it's gotten to this level.
Mike Trapp: "To take somebody's brand new forms or even if they're not brand new and then scrap ‘em, gol' why not go out and flippin' use them and earn a living."
In Park City, the Building Department is issuing a warning to builders to lock up everything of value. In Salt Lake County, another recycler called police when a number of cemetery vases turned up. Turned out, they were stolen.
