LECCE, Italy, May 10 (UPI) -- Nine people were arrested Friday and accused of stealing copper from homes and businesses in Lecce in southeastern Italy, police said.
Seven of the suspects were allegedly members of a gang that raided firms and two allegedly stole copper wiring from homes.
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Theft of copper has increased with the recession in Italy, described as the worst in 20 years, the Italian news agency ANSA said.
The leader of the ring was reportedly a security guard at a solar power plant, where many of the thefts occurred, police said.
