Copper thieves knock out power to Rio Rancho strip mall

Published  9:59 AM MDT Jun 02, 2012

Businesses in a Rio Rancho strip mall were left without power and could not open for business Friday after copper thieves stole electrical wiring, police said.

Hair stylist Laura Tafoya said she lost an entire day's income because of the crime.

"I think it's awful because it affects so many other people, especially when they are hitting businesses like this. It affects people like us who have a day’s worth of clients to work on," she said.

Police said the thieves targeted the roof of the strip mall along Rio Rancho Boulevard. Investigators said the criminals steal high-voltage electrical lines because they are the thickest and have the most copper.

"They must have been here, like, while people were here and actually cut the stuff while they were here, so that's scary too, because it was broad daylight," Tafoya said.

She said she hoped her story would draw attention to the crime and create awareness for companies that buy copper from thieves.

"You would think that there would be more regulations as far as where are they selling it. How are those people being regulated?" she said.

The building's owner had to pay to get the electrical wiring fixed.

Police said the electrical lines are becoming more of a target because of their value.

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