Thieves have broken into three Beaumont businesses this month with one goal in mind; to steal copper and metal products to turn for profit.
T.C. Gibson says it wasn't only Vietnam Veterans of America that took a hard hit when someone robbed them of their copper tubing connected to their air conditioning units.
"We've got thousands of dollars that we could be using for supporting our veterans that are gone," said Gibson.
Money instead used to replace what was stolen and the non-profit organization had to go weeks without power to the building but now they've taken more precautions.
"We enhanced security by adding the protective mesh and haven't seen any since," said Gibson.
Police say metal theft is a constant, growing problem with 142 cases this year and three more this month.
Officer Carol Riley showed us surveillance video of a local business that has been burglarized four times and the suspect that you see here, stealing copper and metal items by the load, was never caught.
"Our most common target is air conditioning units and any type of wire they can come across," said Riley.
With the price of copper at about three dollars a pound thieves cause thousands of dollars in damage trying to rack up the cash.
"Refer type copper, things that come from air conditioning units draw money, stainless steal does," said Riley
"Hits you like a ton of bricks that people steal from veterans," said Gibson.
Both police and victims alike say the public can help stop this expensive problem.
"If you see someone and you think they're suspicious call in to the non-emergency police number," ask Gibson.
Many metal thefts happen in broad daylight, be vigilant and keep an eye out.
If you are caught stealing metals like copper, aluminum, brass or bronze you can be charged with possession of stolen property.
And receive a state jail time felony, which can result in up to two years behind bars and a $10,000 fine.
