ROCKPORT — Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority officials have stepped up security at its Rockport layover facility in hopes the measure will deter crime and lead to the capture of a man wanted in connection with stealing thousands of dollars worth of copper-filled heating cables.
The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR), which operates the MBTA's commuter rail system, increased surveillance capabilities at all of its layover facilities in 2008 and 2009, but have had to add "extra layers of security" in Rockport owing to routine cable thefts.
Additional security cameras were added to all stations where MBTA locomotives are stored overnight as part of the system-wide effort to improve security in 2008-2009, but the additional "eyes" failed to stem the cable thefts in Rockport.
"After the initial installation at Rockport, the copper theft continued so they added additional surveillance to cover more area," MBCR spokesman Scott Farmelant said Monday. "There is no human presence in terms of security, but (MBTA) Transit Police and Rockport Police are doing some surveillance within their normal purview of duties."
Several 480-volt cables used to keep MBTA commuter trains warm at the Rockport train station during the overnight hours have been stolen over the last several years. The cables contain a large amount of copper and are valued at $8,000.
The most recent incident was caught on tape July 15.
A white man wearing a blue T-shirt and black pants was captured on film stealing layover power cables from the station between 4 and 4:15 p.m. that Thursday. He can be seen placing the cables into the back of a black Dodge Dakota truck with silver trim on the bottom.
While the truck's front license plate is visible in the footage, the camera was unable to zoom in close enough for authorities to read the plate number.
According to MBTA Transit Police, the July 15 theft is the third such incident this year in which layover cables were stolen from a North Shore commuter rail station. On May 16 and 21, layover cables were stolen from the MBTA Bradford and Rockport commuter rail stations, respectively.
According to the London Metal Exchange, copper was worth $3.22 a pound at the close of trading Monday.
Copper is the second best base-metal conductor — behind only silver — of electricity. It is known for its high heat transfer and uniform heating qualities. It's a material frequently targeted by thieves because it is relatively lightweight for its value.
With no identifying numbers or marks, it is often difficult for scrap metal businesses to know whether copper being offered to them was acquired legally.
So far, there have been no delays or other negative effects on train service as a result of the crime, MBTA officials have said.
The cables are not kept at stations in Gloucester, West Gloucester or Manchester because the MBTA does not keep trains stored overnight in those other Cape Ann facilities.
Rockport Police Sgt. Mark Schmink, citing the cable thefts and recent cases of vandalism done to vehicles parked in the station's lot, said local police have increased patrols of the area.
"They're being looked at, watched, and being caught," Schmink said.
Anyone with information on the suspect caught on camera July 15 is requested to contact MBTA Transit Police Detective Patrick Lewis at 617-222-1171, or the Transit Police Internal Security Unit at 617-222-1160.
Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at 978-283-7000 x 3451 or jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
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