Study: Metal theft costs county $8M a year

Metal theft has increased dramatically in Marion County during the past few years, rising from an average of seven incidents per day in 2008 to approximately 11 per day in the 2011-2013 period, according to a new study from UIndy. Catalytic converter thefts have nearly doubled, appliances are increasingly popular targets, and the crimes seem to be concentrated in specific areas of the city, the study found. However, property owners can prevent many of these crimes by taking simple precautions, says Kevin Whiteacre, associate professor of sociology and criminal justice and director of UIndy’s Community Research Center.