Copper thefts are on the rise, and officials in Springfield are considering a 2-day waiting period to deter thieves looking to cash in their ill-gotten goods.

Springfield Police Chief Robert Williams says he supports requiring a waiting period before people can get cash in exchange for precious metals.

Officials received 64 reports of stolen copper in 2009. That number increased to 172 last year. And so far this year, 268 thefts have been reported.

Williams told Springfield aldermen that a rise in the price of precious metals brought on the increase. Thieves often tear copper tubing off air-conditioning units, causing significant damage.

Williams says the waiting-period idea is still in the preliminary stages.