SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- These scraps of metal may look worthless, but believe it or not, metal theft is on the rise.

"The simple reason is cash. They can take them to some recovery centers and trade them in for money,” said Lt. Joe Cecil, of the Syracuse Police Department.

Four years ago, local scrap yards paid $.75 for a pound of copper, now it is worth over $3.00. Stealing pipes from abandoned houses and car parts, thieves are looking to cash in. The most recent theft, 40 copper and bronze markers from the graves of war veterans. Police say the markers were taken from a cemetery in Madison County to be sold in Syracuse.

"To go to a cemetery and take these markers that are there to commemorate people, some of whom have actually died serving their country, to go in there and steal those things just to make a buck, it's very egregious,” said Lt. Cecil.

Scrap yards are on the alert. New York State law now requires anyone selling metal to present a photo ID. But some say that may not stop thefts from happening.

"If more people would be conscientious about actually doing the right thing instead of letting greed run their life, that would be helpful,” said Richard Michaels, Metalico Operation manager.

Police have yet to make an arrest in the most recent metal theft.