Authorities in Michigan are warning residents about a strange new theft trend, with thieves targeting homes in broad daylight.

These thieves aren’t breaking into homes, cars, or even garages. Instead, they’re after something outside, something that is actually attached to the house itself. When I first heard about this, I couldn’t believe it.

Criminals are actually walking up to homes in the middle of the day and stealing gutters and downspouts right off the house. Yup, they’re just ripping them off and tossing them into a truck.

I don't know if you've ever tried to take down a gutter before, but it's not easy. I have to assume they're mainly yanking down the downspouts because those are much easier to take than the gutters themselves.

According to WXYZ, three men were recently charged for stealing gutters from a home on Detroit’s east side. Authorities believe the men could be tied to other similar thefts in the area. Similar crimes are also happening in Chicago.

See Also: 11 Things You Should Never Buy From a Michigan Gas Station

So, why are criminals doing this? Well, it's simple. They are after the metal. Gutters and downspouts, especially those made of aluminum or copper, can be scrapped for quick cash.

It seems the crimes are taking place in lower-income neighborhoods where many homes are being renovated, making them easier targets for thieves.

Hopefully, this kind of theft is something that doesn't spread more than it already has. The last thing homeowners should have to worry about is whether or not their gutters are safe.

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