DAVENPORT, Iowa — Rickey Appleby, 28, has been arrested on a third-degree burglary charge, marking the fourth arrest in a string of wire theft incidents within less than a week.
According to court records, the incident took place on Thursday around 4 p.m. on the 1700 block of West 7th Street in Davenport. Police say Appleby entered a property with the intent to commit theft. After being read his Miranda Rights, Appleby reportedly admitted to stealing copper wire from a garage at the location.
Copper wire theft has become an increasing problem due to the rising global demand for copper, a valuable metal known for its high electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance. Smart Energy International reports that the theft of cables is a significant economic issue, causing losses of $1.5 billion to $2 billion annually in the United States. These thefts often involve stripping insulation from cables and selling the copper to scrap dealers for resale.
Appleby’s arrest follows a growing trend of wire thefts, driven by high prices for metals like copper, which are in high demand by recyclers. Authorities continue to investigate these thefts and urge the public to report any information related to the incidents.