LADY'S ISLAND -- Rising copper prices seem to be fueling more metal thefts.

Over the weekend, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office responded to four reports of copper being stolen from air-conditioning units at businesses and homes on Lady's Island.

The damage was estimated at $1,500 per unit; the value of the components stolen from all the units was only $160, according to a Sheriff's Office report.

Countywide, copper theft has been on the rise.

Deputies responded to 28 incidents involving copper theft in 2007 -- a more than 100 percent increase from the year before.

Residences, businesses and utility companies have all been the target of copper thieves in the past year. In December, thieves stole $24,000 worth of copper wire from a phone company.

In southern Beaufort County, most of the thefts occur at construction sites.

The crimes appear to be exacerbated by hikes in copper prices. Copper closed