[bigboydan]

Did you guys happen to catch this story. That reminds me of the time when a friend of mine had his copper piping stole out of his house back in the early 80's.

(CBS13) SACRAMENTO You really don't notice them until they're not there. Looking closely at some northern California freeways you can see huge chunks of guard rail are now missing.

Caltrans says since the start of the year crooks have stealing them by the truckload.

“You think you've seen everything that could happen but what do you know, they come and steal our guard rail,” said Jeff Weiss of Caltrans.

He says the reason is the recycling and scrap metal value for aluminum and other metals is way up. Some dealers are offering about $3 a pound.

“Metal prices have spiked a lot. It’s so high that people are even tearing up guard rail to sell it for scrap,” added Weiss.

Caltrans says in one month the crooks have stolen about 3,000 feet of rail, worth about $90,000.

They also mention whoever is doing this is putting drivers at risk.

“The guard rail is there to keep cars from going over the edge,” said Weiss.

Luckily there have been no reports of accidents because of the thefts, but Caltrans is now spending thousands of dollars of tax payers money installing new barriers. They're now looking for an alternative to aluminum.

http://cbs13.com/topstories/local_story_031203127.html

[nosuzieno]

a few local hoosiers have been stealing manhole covers...

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...0127011/-1/RSS

[Hulu]

Guys you are missing the big picture here, this could be the solution to payment processing problems!!! Post up in scrap metal! It'll be worth more than the US dollar soon!

[bigboydan]

Guys you are missing the big picture here, this could be the solution to payment processing problems!!! Post up in scrap metal! It'll be worth more than the US dollar soon!

Theres a thought

[Dark Horse]

How do you steal a guard rail without anybody noticing?

Very stupid. One fatal accident as a result, and everybody caught is looking at life in prison (remember those three kids that removed a stop sign?).

[Hulu]

You pull over to the side and start unbolting the rails. Everyone assumes that you are doing maintenance.

I heard that jjgold has been on ebay bidding on a reflective orange vest.

[onlooker]

Im pretty sure they cut it up before taking to recycle. So they dont know its a guard rail. Well I would hope so anyway.

People will keep coming up with any idea to make the mighty dollar.

[Doc JS]

Guys you are missing the big picture here, this could be the solution to payment processing problems!!! Post up in scrap metal! It'll be worth more than the US dollar soon!

LOL...i was thinking the same thing!

[compaqDikk]

I cleared 70k 2 years ago in various Montana wherehouses stripping copper wire by night and posting at SBR by day

the following is all you need to get started:

[Doug]

Don't forget the light poles,either ! Get yourself a few cords of lightpole.

By GARY GATELY
Published: November 25, 2005

BALTIMORE, Nov. 24 - Given that they stand some 30 feet tall, their disappearance is attracting a good deal of attention here - even as their final destination remains a mystery.

Thieves are sawing down aluminum light poles. Some 130 have vanished from Baltimore's streets in the last several weeks, the authorities say, presumably sold for scrap metal. But so far the case of the pilfered poles has stumped the police, and left many local residents wondering just how someone manages to make off with what would seem to be a conspicuous street fixture.

The poles, which weigh about 250 pounds apiece, have been snatched during the day and in the middle of the night, from two-lane blacktop roads and from parkways with three lanes on either side of grass median strips, in poor areas and in some of the city's most affluent neighborhoods. Left behind are half-foot stubs of metal, with wires that carry 120 volts neatly tied and wrapped in black electric tape.

Go with me on this. Homeless people in Baltimore do not drive around in vehicles big enough to carry 30’ poles. Those ubiquitous collectors of spare and rusty pipes and metal bits usually walk the streets, pushing a grocery cart then usually full of the metal they plan to sell. No way would these people not be noticed prancing around the streets with a 30’ pole sticking out of their cart. Most of them are so frail they couldn’t possibly heft 250 pounds.

There’s something or someone big behind this tale of thievery. Something’s very organized about this. Suggestions I’ve read across the Internet is that the company selling new pole replacements might be behind the thievery. That’s certainly a motive.

Whatever the case, it would seem this can’t go on much longer. The scrap yards are on the watch for these guys. Driving around Baltimore with big poles sticking out the back is going to be a highly suspect activity. I am curious until an arrest is made.

[bigboydan]

I missed that story Doug.

What in the hell is this country coming too guys. I wonder whats next, they going to be digging up trees in your local parks, and selling them.

[onlooker]

How the hell do you make off with a 30 foot light pole? In the middle of the day? There are some brave mofos out there.

[imgv94]

We should give these guys more credit...

Caltrans says in one month the crooks have stolen about 3,000 feet of rail, worth about $90,000.

Good Job fellas..

Maybe people will drive more carefully knowing the guard rails aren't there anymore.. Oh wait they already are

There have been no reports of accidents because of the thefts

Honestly
we live in such a corrupt world now I wouldn't be surprised if someone from Caltrans is actually behind this..

Just like when FireFighters start Fires to get triple pay..

[Doug]

I missed that story Doug.

What in the hell is this country coming too guys. I wonder whats next, they going to be digging up trees in your local parks, and selling them.

It's from 2005

[Dark Horse]

As long as it's not the 110 between LA Downtown and Pasadena. Curvier than Salma Hayek.

[onlooker]

Ok IMG, dont get no smart ideas.

Just stick to handicapping.

[imgv94]

As long as it's not the 110 between LA Downtown and Pasadena. Curvier than Salma Hayek.

First freeway built in Los Angeles.. I know about 10 people who refuse to drive on that section of the freeway..

No trucks are allowed on that freeway

Only freeway that I know of that gives you no time to speed up to merge into it.. You go from Stop sign right into the damn thing..

[imgv94]

Ok IMG, dont get no smart ideas.

Just stick to handicapping.

After the way my week has gone I might just have to steal some scrap metal...

[Dark Horse]

First freeway built in Los Angeles.. I know about 10 people who refuse to drive on that section of the freeway..

No trucks are allowed on that freeway

Only freeway that I know of that gives you no time to speed up to merge into it.. You go from Stop sign right into the damn thing..

I know. From zero to sixty in 50 yards.

I learned to drive on that freeway. lol. But the food and coffee in Pasadena is worth it.

[imgv94]

I know. From zero to sixty in 50 yards.

I learned to drive on that freeway. lol. But the food and coffee in Pasadena is worth it.

You must be a good driver then..

[Freedom]

Funny!

[Dark Horse]

You must be a good driver then..

Favorite LA stretches with low ticket risk:
- Sunset between Brentwood and Palisades.
- Topanga Canyon Blvd at night.

[imgv94]

Topanga Canyon is crazy when it rains.. Drivers mess up on that road all the time..