COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) – Colorado Springs police say thieves have made off with copper worth hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past year and they’re asking for help in nabbing them.

Police tell The Gazette that copper has been ripped off from businesses, schools and parks to sell as scrap metal. City officials estimate about $300,000 in copper wire has been stolen from streetlights alone.

Authorities say Colorado Springs Utilities crews maintain the streetlights and anyone else tampering with the lights is likely a thief.

Two men were arrested in May on suspicion of stealing backflow valves and copper pipes from homes, businesses and parks. Five others arrested last December are believed responsible for $2 million in stolen metal and damage.

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