Local Farmers Hit By Copper Thieves

Copper thieves are leaving a path of destruction on farms in Summerdale.

Thieves have hit about a dozen farms in South Baldwin County. They're targeting central pivot irrigation systems.

The thieves will climb on top of the equipment, use heavy-duty wire cutters to rip through the system and pull out the valuable copper wire.

Many crop and turf farmers say they won't be able to irrigate in the spring.

Summerdale Police Chief Eddie Ingram says the thieves are fencing the stolen copper at local scrap-yards for quick cash.

The thieves will get a couple hundred bucks for the stolen copper, but between repairs and buying new irrigation equipment- it's costing farmers thousands of dollars.

The situation has gotten so bad, Chief Ingram is asking farmers in the area to attend a community meeting next month.

The meeting will be held at Summerdale Town Hall on Tuesday, January 10th at 6:30pm. Ingram will address the copper theft situation and let farmers know what his department is doing to track down and arrest the thieves.

Call the Summerdale Police Dept. if you can help them solve the rash of copper thefts.