The days-long rescue operation for three people in a coal mine in West Virginia has highlighted concerns about copper thefts in other abandoned shafts after a father of one of the women found alive said she entered in search of copper. It's not uncommon for people in the area to enter abandoned mines in search of copper to sell. In the past two weeks, four men have been arrested in copper theft investigations for breaking and entering two other mines, WCHS-TV reported. The problem has grown so severe recently that the West Virginia Coal Association has pushed state lawmakers for stricter punishments for people who break into abandoned mines. THREE MISSING IN ABANDONED WEST VIRGINIA COAL MINE ARE FOUND ALIVE, OFFICIALS SAYThe group had been missing since early Saturday along with a fourth person, 43-year-old Eddie Williams.

Source: Fox News December 13, 2018 19:59 UTC