Roofing Supply Robberies Impact Home Owners

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Roofing supply companies have had thousands of dollars worth of shingles stolen since the prices of shingles shot up. That stolen property could impact how much you pay for roofing supplies.  

For those at Crossroads Roofing Supply, business isn't like it used to be.

"We're in our tenth year in business this year. And now we're not fighting other businesses, we're fighting to keep our material from being stolen," Crossroads Roofing Supply owner Mike Curtis said.

Curtis said when shingle prices doubled several months back, he and other roofing companies saw their product begin to disappear.

"The guys that are stealing it, they know they can take that and take it to a contractor, find a home owner. It all meshes with making money," Curtis said.

The problem the roofing company owner said is if the stolen property finds itself on your roof, it's you who will have to pay up.

"It's no different than buying a $15,000 stolen vehicle. If that product is stolen, you may have to pay for that product twice," Curtis said.

To prevent more of his shingles from being stolen, Curtis has installed an electric fence, more lights and a new surveillance system, which helped catch several suspects. Unfortunately, extra security has done little to stop the problem.

"Often times its one group doing them or one person or one group, and we will find that person or identify that group and get them off the streets only to have another one pop up and commit the same type of crime," Oklahoma City Police MSgt. Gary Knight said.

To prevent stolen shingles from being used on your roof, it's recommended to ask whatever company you're dealing for a proof of purchase of the product. The company should be able to show you they have paid for it.