Business owner weighs in on vacant properties being targeted by copper thieves
IBERIA PARISH, La. (KLFY)– A business owner wants to bring awareness to what he said is a big problem at the Port of Iberia which is copper theft.
“We discovered on one of our vacant properties at the Port of Iberia, that individuals came into the property and actually stole copper wire, pulled it out of the ground, took it out of buildings, etc.,” Jimmy Shea, manager and co-owner of Properties at Port of Iberia. “Our understanding is it there have been at least 3 to 4 other properties at the Port of Iberia that have been hit by these copper thieves.”
“It’s a big problem going right now,” Shea added. “We just want to make the public know and of course, the people at the Port of Iberia know that this is going on.”
Shea said the vacant properties he has there is no electricity at this time. However, they are getting ready to possibly turn the power on to deter thieves from going in there. Furthermore, he said it seems like the vacant properties are being targeted more as more of the ones that have been hit are on the waterway but also accessible by land and water. Shea told News 10 they are working on getting estimates right now from an electrical company on what the damages are, but he knows it will be costly.
“We have no idea what the final number is going to be, but we know it could be up to $50 to $100,000,” Shea said. “We don’t know what the damage is. Throughout the port. I’m sure it’s going to be well over $100,000 in damages of what’s been taken,” he said. “It’s at a high right now and so it just makes the people that are stealing this stuff want to sell it.”
The Iberia Parish Sherriff’s office is investigating. If you know anything to help with the case call their office.
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