Rash of copper, scrap metal thefts in Trenton

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- Police say thieves are stripping copper and other metals from old buildings and also stealing from gravesites in Trenton, New Jersey.

"Now you see historic buildings being ripped apart, torn apart and it's desecrating the city," said Val Riggins.

Riggins is lamenting the fact that scrap collectors have stripped copper, bronze and other metals from almost every old building in Trenton.

Over the last year Mark Dunlap watched from his office building as the copper roof to the abandoned Bank of America building on State Street disappeared.

The roof was picked clean by thieves looking to make quick money. So far five men have been arrested on theft charges.

"It started to happen almost daily, more and more just got taken away and there's only a few strips left now," said Dunlap.

"This old telephone building there used to be bronze covers over those little pipes and they stole those," said Leo Falanga.

The pastor of Trenton's First Presbyterian Church says his grounds have been targeted repeatedly.

"It's being stripped clean of all of its architectural detail," said Pastor John Allen.

He says thieves have been taking everything from brass railings and signs to gutters and downspouts and even historical grave markers.

"Where these family members are resting, if someone just goes in there and steals something off their grave, I think it's really sad," said Teresa Harris.

"What I just can't believe is scrappers willing to except all these goods for their own profits and they decimate history and it really takes a toll on urban life," said Assemblymen Reed Gusciora.

Fed up with what's happening, Assemblyman Gusciora has introduced legislation to ban scrap metal dealers from buying grave markers, historical signs and religious or military memorials.

He's even asking the State Attorney General to investigate the rash of thefts in the Trenton area.

"I think that it's a perfect idea because we have too many abandoned buildings in the city," said Peppy Branch.

Lawmakers approved a bill last year to have scrap metal dealers keep track of purchases but Gov. Christie vetoed it siting that it would be too much of a burden on businesses.