Unveiling the Puzzle of Metallic Larceny: A Deep Dive into Copper Theft
In the heart of a bustling city, a puzzling incident unfolded in 1975. Walter Konetsco, a retired Foreign Service Officer and Voice of America field engineer, shared a story of a copper theft that left many baffled.
The incident took place at a metropolitan radio station, situated atop a multi-story office building. The station's transmitter, located in the basement, was operating properly, but some of the Public Address (PA) stage readings were different than normal, indicating an issue somewhere in the system.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that the copper ground radials, a crucial part of the station's grounding system, had been stolen from the rooftop. The outside door on the rooftop, approximately 50 feet from the self-supporting tower base and the ATU, was the only entry point, yet no adjacent buildings, fire escapes, or ladders were found on the outside of the building, suggesting a difficult access point for the thief.
The elevator control room, surrounded by clacking relays and in total darkness, was reached via an old cage elevator. Upon reaching the rooftop, it was necessary to open a trap door in the elevator roof, climb on top of the elevator, and open another overhead door to enter the elevator control room. The overhead light bulb was found in the room, but the copper ground radials were nowhere to be found.
The police were notified of the theft, and an investigation was launched. However, the culprits responsible for the theft were never identified or brought to justice. New copper was ordered to replace the stolen radials, but the mystery of how the thief managed to access the rooftop remained unsolved.
This incident bears some resemblance to the recent issue of copper theft from EV charging stations. The common explanations for such seemingly impossible rooftop thefts often involve gaining access from inside the building, using a crane or other equipment, rappelling or climbing from above, using a drone or remote device, or discovering hidden or unnoticed access points.
While the exact method in Walter Konetsco's case might not be known, it is most likely that the thief gained access from inside the building, going up via stairwell or elevator, then onto the roof through an internal door or hatch, requiring no ladder or outside help.
The issue of copper theft is still prevalent, as evidenced by a Readers Forum. It serves as a reminder to maintain vigilance and take necessary precautions to secure valuable resources and equipment from potential theft.
The theft of the copper ground radials at the metropolitan radio station likely involved the use of a gadget or remote device, as the thief seemed to have accessed the rooftop without leaving any apparent evidence of outside help. This incident, reminiscent of recent copper thefts from EV charging stations, highlights the need for advanced technology and security measures to prevent such thefts.
