Police say thieves are targeting construction sites in Cary, where they're going after copper.

The area hit hardest is the Stonewater subdivision located near NC 55 and NC 540, where about $2,700 worth of copper has been swiped this week alone.

Police say at least nine homes in that still-under-construction subdivision have been hit, with thieves stealing copper in wiring and pipes.

If a building isn't finished, a lot inside can be left exposed.

"They'll cut it up in pieces to get it out of the house easier," said Lt. Steve Fonke with the Cary Police Department. "And they're stealing it simply for the salvage value of the metal."

Fonke said construction crimes like this have increased over the years, and a lot of times, the thieves are tough to track when they take the copper to salvage yards.

"They don't operate like a pawn shop that has to get some form of ID," said Fonke.

Construction sites can be vulnerable, but Fonke says crews can do a few things to prevent this type of crime.

First and foremost, workers should lock up windows and doors at night if possible.

"If there are occupied residences close by, touch base with them and encourage them that after a certain time of day, after 7 o'clock at night or whatever, if you see somebody there, they're not supposed to be there and call the police," said Fonke.

The crews building the houses at Stonewater have cameras set up to watch the construction sites, but that didn't stop these crooks from hitting nine different houses in the span of two nights.

"Nine is a little excessive," said Fonke. "Usually there's two or three or four. Nine's a little more than we usually see at one time."

The construction company declined an interview request, but said this type of thing is extremely frustrating.

The price of copper has dropped over the last year, but Fonke said thefts are still a common problem that's gotten worse with the economy.

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