Thieves target sprinklers to cash in on copper

FERNDALE, Mich. – Thieves are stealing parts of sprinkler systems for the precious metals inside them.

Livonia police said the backflow preventers on the sprinkler systems of several businesses have been stolen.  They report at least 13 cases since mid-December.

"Fortunately it hasn't gone into our neighborhoods, but it is hitting our business areas," said Ferndale Police Sgt. Patrick Moug.

Moug said people should keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior.

Alex Shamoon is the general manager at a Big Boy restaurant on East Long Lake in Troy. He showed up for work one morning and discovered his sprinkler valve was cut off and stolen.

"I was walking and I see the sprinkler system was not there," said Shamoon.

Troy police said in a news release the valve is made of copper and is valued at $1,000.

Shamoon said this has made him more careful and he worries where else this crime could happen.

Unfortunately cops say the valves are easy for crooks to steal because they just make two cuts and they can get away with it.

Thieves make their money by selling the copper to scrap yards.

"The fact that they can get $25, $30 bucks for something that might only take them, you know,  two minutes to cut, to steal, that's why it's appealing to them," said Moug.

This type of crime can happen this time of year because businesses are not using their sprinklers and might not notice right away that something is wrong.