FAIRFIELD COUNTY, S.C. — The next time the power blinks out, it could be because a thief ripped copper wire from a nearby substation.
Last year, 25 people died trying to steal copper from utilities nationwide. On Friday, Eyewitness News saw pictures of people burned or missing limbs after getting electrocuted while stealing copper. Some were hit with up to 14,000 volts.
"I don't understand, quite honestly, why they would take such a risk, especially if they don't know what they're doing," said Marc Howie with York Electric Co-op.
However, last year, electric cooperatives spent a million dollars on repairs to substations after the crimes. Copper is currently worth about $3.80 a pound as a commodity. However, it's less than that at a scrap yard.
"People lose legs and feet. They're often unrecognizable, all for two bucks of copper," said S.C. Cooperatives CEO Mike Couick.
"Someone is risking their life for two bucks," Couick added, holding up a shiny copper wire in front of news cameras Friday in Fairfield County.
The cooperatives announced a partnership with Crime Stoppers of South Carolina, and donated $15,000 to the organization. The goal is to encourage people to report the costly crimes.
Leaders from numerous law enforcement agencies attended, including Mark Keel, chief of the State Law Enforcement Division.
A copper thief may only get away with $100 of copper, but create $5,000 in damage.
One co-op was left with $120,000 in damage following a theft last year.
"Who pays for that? Our members do," said Bill Hart, of Fairfield Electric Co-op.
Couick said some utilities have raised rates to cover the losses from theft.
All 20 co-ops across South Carolina have been targets, and have suffered power outages due to copper theft.
A year ago, South Carolina passed a law cracking down on metal theft. The law requires a permit to haul larger amounts of scrap metals, requires identification and doesn't allow people to sell scrap metal for cash.
Couick said the law has made a dent in metal theft, but it's not enough when surrounding states have lax laws.
"It leaves the state now, because Georgia and North Carolina don't have laws as strict as this state."
North Carolina's anti-metal theft law goes in effect Oct. 1.
The co-ops of South Carolina and law enforcement are asking for the public's help to stamp out copper theft.
If you have any information on this type of crime you're asked to call crime stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.