Copper theives. Somebody shot.

[philip964]

http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/03 ... man-flees/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can't even tell from this story who shot who.

[Keith B]

Yeah, the story contradicts itself. Sounds like the property owner was actually the one who was DOING the shooting, but hard to tell.

[speedsix]

http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/03 ... man-flees/

I can't even tell from this story who shot who.

...the linked title and story say clearly 4 times that the property owner shot the thief...I don't see any contradiction...more coffee, anyone???

[mjoplin]

In the great Chronicle tradition of mucking up the story, at one point this morning the byline was something on the order of "property owner shot in copper theft". They've corrected it now.

[speedsix]

...OK...they've brushed out their tracks from an earlier story...thanks...

[philip964]

Yeah they have changed it since this earlier. Glad its the property owner that is not in critical condition. Lets hope it was at night, and that he did not shoot an unarmed 17 year old.

[Keith B]

It was updated at 11:04 CDT.

[speedsix]

...sneaky little products of a casual relationship, aren't they...

[03Lightningrocks]

You folks would not believe how often we have to install new outdoor condensors because some thief cut the lines and ran off with the unit. It is crazy!!! They get maybe 100-150 bucks scrap at most and the unit can cost anywhere from 1600 and up to replace! It reminds me of when they break my 150 dollar window to steal my 25 dollar mag light from the front seat.

It can cause you to put a note on the unit telling them that if they will leave the unit alone and knock on the door, you will go ahead and buy it back from them before they steal it.

[Keith B]

The other major metal theft issue now is catalytic converters. They are cutting them right off the vehicle in broad daylight with battery powered reciprocating saws and high speed metal cutting blades. The new 'Gone in 60 seconds' movie. The precious metals in them were the first thing they were after, but now I understand that they are just selling them whole and they are getting re-sold to owners of vehicles that had theirs removed, especially on the the Japanese cars like the Honda element.

[speedsix]

...just had to buy one...talked to the shop owner at length...they've put tight restrictions on even being found with several in your possession...and had reduced the street value of them by paperwork and reporting on the scrap dealer's end ...but they're now creeping back up...so he looks for it to start again...what I found is that there's not as much plutonium in them as before...mine only cost $260 installed...I couldn't BUY one that cheaply at the parts store...and mine was brand new...not used...

[03Lightningrocks]

...just had to buy one...talked to the shop owner at length...they've put tight restrictions on even being found with several in your possession...and had reduced the street value of them by paperwork and reporting on the scrap dealer's end ...but they're now creeping back up...so he looks for it to start again...what I found is that there's not as much plutonium in them as before...mine only cost $260 installed...I couldn't BUY one that cheaply at the parts store...and mine was brand new...not used...

That much plutonium is hard to handle.

The terrorist are collecting them. If they can get enough plutonium, they can possibly build an anti-matter bomb!!!

I bet he meant platinum!

[speedsix]

...HAHAHAHAHA...I'll bet I did, too...

[Keith B]

...just had to buy one...talked to the shop owner at length...they've put tight restrictions on even being found with several in your possession...and had reduced the street value of them by paperwork and reporting on the scrap dealer's end ...but they're now creeping back up...so he looks for it to start again...what I found is that there's not as much plutonium in them as before...mine only cost $260 installed...I couldn't BUY one that cheaply at the parts store...and mine was brand new...not used...

That much plutonium is hard to handle.

Yeah, I think you meant platinum, and not plutonium. However, I have heard of catalytic converters glowing before. Hmmm....