Thieves targeting toilet pipes
Posted at: 02/05/2013 10:10 PM
| Updated at: 02/05/2013 10:27 PM
By: Chris Ramirez, KOB Eyewitness News 4
In the gritty world of crime, Albuquerque thieves have managed to hit an all-time low. KOB Eyewitness News 4 discovered metal thieves are now after the metal pipes that flush toilets. If the toilet has an auto-flush sensor, the value increases.
"We've seen in the last 5-7 days numerous Flush-O-Matic’s getting stolen,” said APD Commander Will Roseman. “We're talking Home Depot, Lowe's, Arby’s. They’re going into the rest rooms and actually taking the metal out.”
Roseman said employees have assumed the thieves are plumbers and had legitimate business to conduct. On the black market, the fixtures sell for about $30, but it will cost the business owner about $400 to replace the stolen item.
Roseman said there are businesses operating in Albuquerque that are illegally buying the stolen toilet fixtures. A police report shows APD investigated M&M Recycling for knowingly buying the stolen goods. The case has been sent to the New Mexico Department of Licensing and Regulations for further review. Employees at M&M Recycling declined comment, but didn’t dispute the criminal accusations.
In this down economy, this crime trend proves nothing is sacred. Not even your toilet.
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