For Release: Wednesday, December 28, 2011
NYSDEC Seeks Information in Copper Theft
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Law Enforcement is seeking help from the public in solving a theft of brass and copper from the J&L Steel Remediation Site (former Jones and Laughlin Ore Processing site) on State Route 3 outside of Newton Falls in St. Lawrence County. On Dec. 22 it was discovered that a person or people recently broke into buildings at the J&L Steel site, stealing the metal, presumably for the scrap value. The buildings affected had been constructed for petroleum contamination cleanup at the facility as part of the Department of Environmental Conservation's Environmental Restoration Program.
The stolen items are estimated to be worth more than $5,000 total. Stolen items include:
- Five (5) Flow meters made of brass (2" inlet and outlet, about 20 pounds each)
- a number of smaller brass plumbing fittings
- approximately 80 feet of 3/8" copper tubing, used as fuel line
- Two (2) 20 Foot long sections of 3/8" diameter copper tubing, coiled, unused
- Three (3) ten foot long sections of ½" diameter copper pipe
- Three (3) spools of single strand, 14 Gauge insulated copper wire (insulation color unknown)
- Roll of copper flashing (18 inches wide by 10 feet long, when unrolled)
- Two heavy gauge copper leads from an Arc Welder, possibly 20 feet in length.
Any individuals with information are encouraged to call the Environmental Conservation Police at (315) 785-2231 or toll free at 1-877-457-5680. Information may also be submitted by e-mail to Region 6 Dispatcher. All information will be kept highly confidential.
Items pictured below are representative pictures, not photographs of the actual items taken.
14 gauge wire spool
3/8" tubing coil
brass flow meter
