COSBY-The value of copper continues to be the culprit behind the vandalism and theft of homes across Cocke County. Several homes both inhabited and especially those under construction, have been stripped of wiring.

      According to Morristown Iron and Metal foreman Bill Thompson, "clean" copper (which has no plastic, or other materials connected to it) sells between $2.70 and $2.85.

      On Monday, roughly $3,000 worth of copper wiring and tubing was stolen from two home sites under construction at the 130-acre Maranatha Resort Community in Cosby. According to a report by Cocke County Sheriff's Lt. Jonathan Morgan, approximately 100-feet of tubing and 180-feet of No. 6 copper wire was stolen from the site, which features 4,000 square-foot cabins.

      Though copper theft isn't a recent addition to the crime world, high monetary returns have caused its increase. Thompson said, "People are careless with storing copper (at construction sites)." He added, "People will do anything for money."

      When asked if any safeguards or security measures are taken when receiving copper at Morristown Iron and Metals, Thompson said, "We take a picture of the copper and the individual."

Despite safeguards, metal receptacles and recycling centers around East Tennessee or other parts of the country reportedly have little way of confirming whether received goods are stolen.