Copper Thieves & cancer patients
in [Cancer]
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From: J on 3 Aug 2008 05:58 Califchief wrote: > Copper Thieves Put Cancer Patients At Risk > 70 Patients Went Without Radiation Therapy > 15:00 PDT Thursday, July 31, 2008 > > VISTA, Calif. -- Radiation therapy could not be performed on dozens of > cancer patients because a would-be metal thief ripped out copper plumbing > that cools radiation machines in a northern county outpatient clinic. > > Oncology Therapies of Vista office manager Beth Bourbeau discovered the > vandalism on Wednesday and up to 70 patients went without radiation therapy. > > "You could see tools left behind, you could see ripped pipes, you could see > water damage -- we knew immediately that someone was after the copper > tubing," said Dr. Patrick Linson. > > The copper pipes, which were left behind, would have fetched up to $400 > at a recycling center. Plumbers were called in and the machines were up > and running Thursday morning. > > Sheriff's Sgt. Art Wager said there have been no arrests. Investigators are > asking anyone with any information about the person or persons responsible > for this to come forward > > Last week, the county sheriff's department, two police departments, the FBI and AT&T announced that they've teamed up in an attempt to stop the problem of copper and metal thefts. Those working at scrap metal and recycling centers could now face criminal charges for buying alleged stolen metal. > > "These thieves are selling things that are worth over $15,000 and they're selling them for a few hundred dollars to buy drugs, usually to buy methamphetamines," said Summer Stephan, deputy district attorney for North County. > > AT&T is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to arrest of alleged thieves or people purchasing stolen wiring and metal. Anyone with information is asked to call 888-871-262 |