As 3WC has been reporting, copper thefts have increased to the point even Homeland Security has issued warnings due to copper being stolen from critical facilities in the US.  Here in Wilkes, thieves have stolen copper wire and tubing from both individuals and businesses.  Over the weekend, Interconnect called the Wilkesboro Police with a theft.  According to the owner, someone come the property overnight and unrolled some copper wire off a wooden spool near the end of the parking lot.  In fact, the thieve or thieves rolled off 710 feet of Essex 24 gauge copper wire cable valued at 1800 dollars.  Video surveillance did not record any suspect information.  Wilkesboro Police are still investigating this theft.