Copper Theft

Robbery Suspects Face Enhanced Charges After Explosion

September 4, 2007, 4:40 p.m.

KTIV photo of rural home Burglary charges will be enhanced against whomever cut the propane lines in an Onawa, Iowa man’s home, after the homeowner died from injuries suffered in an explosion.

Last Tuesday, authorities believe at least one person broke into Earl Thelander’s home and stole copper tubing from his basement.

The Monona County sheriff believes they cut the home’s propane lines in the midst of their robbery.

Thelander, who was badly burned by an explosion in the home later that day, died over the weekend.

Sheriff Jeff Pratt says the investigation into the theft is ongoing.

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Man Killed in Blast died for ‘piece of copper piping’

DesMoinesRegister.com

Man Killed in Blast died for ‘piece of copper piping’

Theft of gas line led to blast that burned Earl Thelander

By TOM ALEX
Register Staff Writer

September 5, 2007

An 80-year-old Onawa man has apparently become the first Iowa fatality related to the growing crime of urban mining.

Rising scrap metal prices have prompted a widespread trend of theft of metal construction materials from homes, businesses and construction sites.

“Yesterday, with his 11 kids and my mother surrounding him, my second father, Earl Thelander … died as the result of a cowardly thief who burglarized my grandparent’s former country home, for a $10 piece of copper piping,” Thelander’s stepdaughter, Jody Ewing, wrote on her Web site over the weekend.

“The burglar didn’t bother to shut off the gas before cutting the copper gas line, and let the home fill with gas for the inevitable explosion,” Ewing wrote.

Thelander died Saturday at an Omaha medical center burn unit after being burned in a gas explosion at the home on Aug. 28.

“‘Dad Earl’ – as my four siblings and I always called him – wanted to live,” Ewing wrote. “And, he had everything to live for. He was healthy, happy, and couldn’t wait until his tomatoes finished ripening on the vines. He’d planned to give each of us some, and looked forward to the BLT sandwiches my mom always made for him.

“Yes, he wanted to live. Even after the explosion, he somehow managed to crawl through the fire, climb into his pickup, and drive the two miles back home in town, where my mother then immediately took him to the hospital. With both his knees burned clear through to the bone, he’d managed to make it back to her,” Ewing wrote.

“Yesterday (Saturday), we each took turns holding the tips of his fingers … one of the few parts on his body without the full-thickness, third-degree burns, and we told him again and again how much we loved him, how much he’d taught us about life and respect and hard work and looking out for one another and reaching out to help a neighbor in need.”

Ewing, who describes herself on her Web site as a freelance journalist and cold case investigative journalist, said her stepfather’s death should prompt officials to consider filing serious charges.

The county attorney and the sheriff are not saying what charges they are considering.

“It’s a criminal investigation at this point. Stealing was a criminal act,” said Monona County Attorney Michael Jensen.

Monona County Sheriff Jeff Pratt also declined to speculate on what charges might be filed and said no one has been arrested.

Thelander’s death may be the first in the state relating to copper theft.

Brad Novak, a Cedar Rapids detective and member of the executive board of the Iowa State Police Association, said he has heard of no other deaths connected to the theft of copper. “I can’t recall anything like that,” he said. “We are seeing an increase in copper thefts. It’s a statewide trend.”

Thelander’s son, Brad Thelander, talked with his father on the day that it happened.

“I saw him at the hospital in Onawa,” he said. “He joked with us, and we joked with him. He was conscious and talking and he joked about screwing up by turning on the fan. But he’d let the house air out for 2hours later while Thelander was alone in the house.

Family members were told almost from the beginning that Thelander’s chance of survival was just 20 percent or 25 percent. He had third-degree burns over 40 percent of his body.

“Knowing how tough he was we still thought he’d beat the odds,” Brad Thelander said. But the end came about 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

“What we don’t understand is why the thief didn’t turn off the gas,” he said. “They had to know the house was filling up with gas. Or at least they could have made an anonymous call to someone saying the gas was on in the house.”

Reporter Tom Alex can be reached at (515) 284-8088 or talex@dmreg.com.
COMMENTS from the Des Moines Register article:

Very dangerous scumbags!
Posted by: leopard_colony on Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:17 am
The scumbag(s) who did this are very dangerous. They stole copper piping without bothering to shut off the valve at the tank. That shows depraved indifference to the safety of others and themselves. Now imagine interrupting these jerks in the act. It is a safe bet that they would not hesitate to attack you. You can’t call the police just because you hear something, you have to investigate first. At that point you don’t have a chance to call the police before the criminals attack you. If you are unarmed you would be dead or seriously injured. So you need a firearm, not to shoot someone but to keep criminals away. Shooting someone is the last thing you want to do. Now imagine a politician is elected who bans almost all firearms, leaving you helpless. To make it worse, the criminals know you are helpless! It’s open season on people, especially women Remember this when you vote!

Reader Comment
Posted by: westdesmoinesguy on Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:34 pm
Require documented Picture ID and any other requirements that are currently required of pawn shops….Scrap dealers are in the same business..

Copper thieves
Posted by: fumblefing on Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:13 am
The scumbags that did this are likely oblivious to any publicity on it, they are focused on financing their next “fix”. They likely don’t have the inclination to listen to or read the news.

The market sets prices for scrap metal and our industries depend in part on the scrap for material. Other than licensing sellers and requiring record keeping of sales beyond what the scrap dealers are already made to do, there isn’t much that could be done here.

It would be good to see these folks caught but the current justice system would soon have them back on the streets. Best scenario: they take themselves out without leaving their heirs an excuse to sue the victims.

Reader Comment
Posted by: Rocco_L on Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:15 am
I hope they charge the scum bags with murder 1 now.

Somewhere right now there’s a one or 2 thieving dirtbags sweating bullets and looking over their shoulders wondering when the cops are coming to get them.

Reader Comment
Posted by: former Iowan on Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:24 am
How absolutely senseless and sad this innocent elder gentleman had to loose his life because of some worthless (probably) dopehead had to have a quick fix and caused this explosion. I hope they catch the jerk and hang him by his feet. I have read many stories about people stealing copper tubing and destroying houses – but I never read about anyone being caught. Maybe someone should look at closing down the places that buy this – or at least cutting the prices to where it isn’t worth the crooks trouble to steal it.

Meth
Posted by: Skylark on Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:22 am
Very sad for this individuals family and friends. Monona County hopefully can catch one of the local meth heads selling copper at the scrap yards.

Copyright The Des Moines Register

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Monday’s Our View: Tragic Turn

Monday’s Our View: Tragic turn

“A person who kills another person with malice aforethought either expressed or implied commits murder.”

9/10/2007

Our Position: Copper thieves responsible for man’s death.

As unlikely as it may have seemed, the rise in copper thefts was bound to take a tragic turn. On Sept. 1, Earl Thelander, 80, of Onawa succumbed to severe burns and injuries he suffered after thieves broke into a house he owned and stole copper tubing waterlines and attempted to steal the copper propane lines as well. When they didn’t succeed in the later, they left the lines damaged, emitting propane gas into the house.

Monona County officials said Thelander triggered an explosion when he plugged in a fan to help rid the house of fumes. Thankfully no one was living in the residence, but tragically, Thelander suffered second and third-degree burns in the explosion.

While some may dub this incident an accident, it was far from it. Thelander died as the result of someone else’s disregard for the law, both natural and state mandated.

While the Monona County Attorney Steve Allen is investigating what charges to file in the event an arrest is made, law officials all over southwest Iowa have made a point of noting that these crimes are hard to prosecute because it is difficult to identify suspects. Allen told The Daily Nonpareil last week he had ruled out a charge of first-degree murder unless intent to cause Thelander’s death could be proven.

Obviously the people who would perpetrate such a crime are far from rocket scientists, they obviously knew that cutting into the propane line was a bad idea since they left without stripping the copper from it. Rather than admit what they had done and possibly sparing Thelander’s life, they left a dangerous situation to someone else. The result was an explosion and the loss of one man’s life.

Perhaps even more tragic about the situation is the fact that copper thefts are happening virtually every day. Power losses have been reported, construction sites have suffered financial and time setbacks and local residents have had to cope in the sweltering heat after thieves stole their air conditioning units.

If you don’t think it’s that much of a problem, talk to the Rev. Geraldine Sanford of the Mount Zion Refuge Center, 3032 Seventh Ave. In July, thieves took the church’s air conditioner, a large commercial ground unit that was bolted into a concrete slab. A repairman told Sanford the thieves cut the unit out and pulled the plug to the electricity so that they would not get shocked. The estimate to replace the unit is between $2,400 and $3,000.

Investigating officers said the suspects probably wanted the unit for the copper. They said there would have been $85 to $90 worth of copper to be salvaged.

Essentially, the thieves are causing enormous amounts of destruction for small amounts of money.

How can you compare the cost of scrap metal to one man’s life? This is something the thieves did not think about, but it’s time we did, before someone else is hurt or killed.

In late August, Pottawattamie County and Council Bluffs city officials took small steps to attack the problem. The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance stating anybody caught burning the unwanted excess from the wires will now be issued with a fine.

On a 4-0 vote, with Supervisor Melvyn Houser absent, the board approved a $750 fine for those caught burning copper wires the first time and a $1,000 fine for each time thereafter.

The City Council has approved the first reading of an ordinance introduced by the Council Bluffs Police Department in an attempt to curb copper thefts.

Councilwoman Lynne Branigan was absent for the 4-0 vote, the first in a series for the ordinance, which requires local scrap dealers begin keeping records, including the use of fingerprints, of any individuals selling them scrap metals. The purpose is to crack down on the increasing number of scrap metals thefts, particularly copper and aluminum.

These records would then be used by the department for possible leads into metal thefts.

If we truly want to send a message to these thieves, there is no better place to start than in Monona County. Iowa law states “A person who kills another person with malice aforethought either expressed or implied commits murder.” By leaving a dangerous situation posed by the propane leak, the thieves knowingly placed Thelander in mortal danger before the explosion. Since the result was Thelander’s death, the thieves are ultimately responsible and should be charged with murder. Anything less would be a travesty of justice and an insult to Thelander’s family.

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Copper Theft Compromised Safety

Wire stolen cut railroad communication, crossing signal

September 13, 2007
7 comments

Pole with copper hanging More metal thefts have been reported in the metro and in one particular case, it again could have had tragic results.

Ever since the price of scrap metal has taken off, thieves have been stealing copper and aluminum, anything they can get their hands on.

Most of the easy targets have been stripped, so lately there has been a trend for more risky thefts. Thefts that endanger the crooks and compromise public safety.

“It’s not only against the law, it’s extremely unsafe,” says Mark Davis with the Union Pacific Railroad.

Someone snuck onto U.P. property at 6th and Pacific Tuesday morning, climbed the poles located along the tracks and made off with almost 5,000 feet of copper wire.

“That line there is dual purpose, not only commercial power to help with the line to serve for the signals, but also for communications in general,” says Davis. “Power the railroad signals which tells the trains when to move or not to move or the public warning device at the grade crossings.”

The line was quickly replaced, but at least for a little while, the Harriman Center couldn’t communicate with the some of the trains passing through the metro. The wire was stolen from the tracks that run parallel to I-480 in-between Vinton and Martha streets.

The disruption was minor and apparently no one was hurt, but Davis says there could have been a very different outcome. The thieves could have cut a “hot” line that supplied power to a railroad crossing signal, and endangered everyone crossing the tracks.

There’s also the issue of the personal risk the thieves took. “Very unsafe because you never know when these lines are going to be charged with power,” says Davis. “It could be very little power, it could be high voltage.”

When they’re caught, they’ll face felony theft charges. The U.P. works closely with local law enforcement, but they also send agents in undercover with video cameras. The railroad is serious about catching these people.

Last month, thieves stole about $20 worth of copper gas and water lines from an Onawa, Iowa house owned by Earl Thelander.

“The copper tubing had been cut down and the subjects had cut the copper tube on the furnace which allowed all the propane to be inside the residence,” says Monona County Sheriff Jeff Pratt.

Thelander was burned over 40% of his body when a fan sparked that propane, causing an explosion. The 80-year-old Thelander died several days later.

Those responsible for the theft have not been caught. Anyone with information about that theft is asked to call the Monona County Sheriff’s Department at 712-433-2525.

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of the station.

Posted by: Fitzy Location: Omaha
Why not go ahead and make it attempted murder when someone steals copper piping from a residence or copper wire from any type of signal/power wire. That is effectively what it is. Is it going to take another innocent person getting blown up or perhaps a whole family before authorities step up the efforts to stop the thieves from ripping people off? How rediculous and lawless is this place gonna get? If it’s not murder, shootings, stabbings, beatings….its thieves taking coppper gas pipes, steel siding, or whatever…The police need to be doing more all accross the board in my oppinion to stop this stuff. What a nightmre.

Posted by: Brian Location: Omaha
I moved here from California and out there to sell scrap metal or aluminum you have to have a valid ID or drivers license and they track how much in poundage and volume that you are selling to them. Isn’t there some kind of setup like this here or is it just see no evil, hear no evil here. Come on there has got to be a way to track these people and bring justice to those that are doing this for the quick buck.

Posted by: Good Question Location: Omaha
The government should require DNA samples from anyone selling more than 5 feet of copper wire. We need more laws to protect us! It’s for the children!

Posted by: TA Location: Iowa
If you need money. GET A JOB. Quit stealing you no good idiots.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: omaha
Are the police going after the scrap dealers in connection with this? Why not make scrap metal as hard to buy as cold medicine now adays? simple solutions to stuff like this, fingerprint and i.d. everyone that comes in to sell something. How hard is it to have a system set up to cross reference people selling scrap to different scrap yards?

Posted by: Concerned Location: NE
I’d like to know who is “buying” the copper wire that these crooks are taking. We have to start somewhere – where are these being sold to? scrapyards? on the internet? The way it sounds is the theives are looking to score a quick buck by selling the copper for a fraction of what it’s worth – so, my question is ‘where the heck are they turning the copper into cash at?? Why can’t there be some kind of stake out at the places the copper is being taken to. 5,000 feet of copper wire has got to catch someone’s attention. If these are just punk kids stealing it then selling it – why are the buyers asking more questions. I sure hope some justice comes for Thelander’s case. I can’t imagine a few bucks is worth a life. Someone has to know something (or suspect something) – people need to step up and start asking questions and demanding answers. How about just banning the purchase of ‘scrap copper’?? Or knocking the ‘scrap’ copper price low enough that it’s not worth stealing anymore?

Posted by: Tatjana Location: Omaha
We need to make selling metal more difficult and only available to registered professionals. Registering sellers is a good start but evidently has not stopped thieves.

Earl Thelander Obituary – Polk County Newspaper

OBITUARIES

Earl Thelander

Sep 14, 2007 – 11:31 AM

Earl Leland Thelander, age 80, of Onawa, Iowa, passed away September 1, 2007 at the Nebraska Medical Burn Center at Omaha from second and third degree burns from a propane explosion.

Earl was born May 9, 1927 at Arcadia, NE to Henry and Amanda (Gestrine) Thelander. When he was eight years old, the family moved to Polk County where he attended grade school at District #62 and graduated from High Prairie High School in 1944. He also attended Sunday school and was confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church at Swede Home.

He is survived by his loving wife Hope and six children Doug Thelander of Castana, Iowa, Byron (Sharon) Thelander, Vicki (Olis) Gray, all of Onawa, Iowa, Cindy (Doug) Miller of Sioux City, Iowa, Gaylen (Ruthie) Thelander of Madera, CA, Brad Thelander of Sergeant Bluffs, IA; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; four sisters Betty (Clarence) Nielsen of Stromsburg, Darlene Gordon of York, Jean Twarling of Sidney and Wanda (Delano) Ahlquist of Loveland, CO; three brothers Deen (Ginger) Thelander of Harrison, AR, Darwin (Sarah) Thelander of Peel, AR and Doyle (Gina) Thelander of Lincoln.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Bobby Gray, and brothers-in-law Hal Gordon and Glenn Twarling.

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Copper Thieves Cause Explosion – Man Critically Injured

Williams Kherkher logo

Copper Thieves Cause Explosion – Man Critically Injured

September 18, 2007

It’s one thing when an explosion happens out of nowhere, or is caused by old wiring or something along those lines. It’s quite another when an explosion occurs due to clumsy thieves, as was the case recently in Iowa where an 80-year-old man was seriously injured in an explosion that was caused by copper thieves cutting a propane line during their heist, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

“Earl Thelander was hospitalized at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha with second- and third-degree burns suffered in the blast. “Realistically, looking at his age and severity of the injuries, this is just a tough, tough fight,” said his son Doug Thelander. “A good man is going through a lot of pain for nothing.”

Thieves seeking a quick buck from rising scrap metal prices have been stealing copper wire and pipe from abandoned homes, buildings under construction, churches and vehicles all summer.

On Tuesday, they hit the empty house owned by Earl Thelander, which he was preparing to sell. Thelander went to the house after learning that the thieves had removed copper tubing water lines and tried to steal the copper propane line.

“They cut it a foot above the furnace,” Doug Thelander said. “Why would they do that? They could have turned the gas off.”

The damaged line caused propane to leak into the basement, and authorities said Thelander triggered the explosion when he plugged in an electric fan to air out the basement.”

There are obviously numerous legal issues that will result from this situation. If you have been injured by an explosion, contact an explosion lawyer at Williams Kherkher today to schedule a free initial consultation. You can do so either by clicking on the link provided or by calling us toll-free at (866) 950-9000.

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