Copper Wire Stolen From Rodeo Grounds

Approximately 3,000 feet of copper wire, valued at around $5,000 was stolen from the Zeke Burns Arena last week.

"They pulled all the wire out of the conduit for the lights around the arena," Canton Trail Riders President of the Rodeo Committee Dr. Tim Eberhart said.

The theft was discovered last Tuesday afternoon.

Eberhart said the Trail Riders had a rodeo at the arena the night of May 17, and May 18, so the theft was late Sunday or Monday night.

A playday which was scheduled at the arena for May 23 was cancelled due to the copper theft.

"They didn’t steal this from the Canton Trail Riders, they actually stole this money from the kids," Eberhart said. "The Canton Trail Riders is a non-profit organization that uses its proceeds to buy awards for the kids at the end of the year for the playdays.

"So by stealing this, we are going to have to take money out of treasure that we would use to buy awards for the kids now and buy electrical wire."

Eberhart said the volunteer members of the Trail Riders will now have to purchase the materials and hire someone to install the wire.

"The sheriff’s office does have some leads on suspects that they are following up on at this time," Eberhart said.

According to a report from the sheriff’s office, deputies did attempt to lift fingerprints from the scene.

"I worked on the Legislative Committee during the recent Texas Sheriff’s Association Conference in Austin. One topic that was discussed was copper theft," said Van Zandt County Sheriff R.P. "Pat" Burnett.

Burnett said that many authorities believe that laws must be passed in an effort to help stop copper thefts.

"There needs to be a law in place stating that you must have some type of contractors’ license or such to sell copper. This may not stop the problem but it would sure slow it down," said Burnett.

Burnett said that this is not just a county or state problem, but that the problem is nationwide.

"Every sheriff in the country is dealing with the same problems and these crooks are getting more creative and more desperate," said Burnett.

Burnett urged county citizens once again to keep an eye on their property and their neighbor’s property as well.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 567-4133.