Metal Fire Department Connection Stolen in Calif.

Jan. 22--Add short, Y-shaped pipes used to fight fires to the list of thefts of metal materials, including copper wire bales, downspouts and scoreboards.

Petaluma officials said Saturday that thieves are targeting the connections, which connect to standpipes and are key to fighting fires, most likely for their recycle value.

Metal thefts have soared since the mid-2000s as scrap metal prices have risen, in large part as a result of demand from China.

As many as 20 of the Y-connections, which are made from various cast metals, have been stolen in the city, mostly from business parks, said Petaluma Fire Batallion Chief Russ Rasmussen.

Businesses on Professional Drive and Clegg Street, Transport Way, Lakeville Highway and Scott Street are among the locations hit.

The connections are "essential" parts of fire protection systems in buildings that have fire sprinkler systems, Rasmussen said. Firefighters hook up to them to feed the sprinkler systems or pump water.

"This can't be accomplished" if the connections are missing, he said.

Anyone who has information about the thefts or sees suspicious activity is asked to call the fire marshal's office, at 778-4389, or police, at 778-4372.

Copyright 2012 - The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, Calif.