Arizona Officials to Reveal Tools to Fight Copper Theft

Officials are preparing new tools to fight copper theft in the Phoenix area.

Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne, Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery and others are holding a news conference Wednesday morning at the state Capitol to discuss new initiatives and legislation.

Organizers of the event say businesses and government agencies are working together on the problem, which they say cost the Phoenix area $30 million last year.

Copper thefts have become rampant in recent years because of industrial growth in China that sent prices soaring.

Police say thieves are stealing copper from pool pumps, street lighting, abandoned homes and construction sites.