The recent theft of home fuel filler caps, the kind used to fill home heating tanks, is probably just a matter of Halloween-type pranks and unrelated to ongoing metal thefts.

"The last three weeks we've gotten calls from people," said Daniel Reigel, owner Reigel Plumbing and Heating, Tamaqua. "But I think it's more mischief than anything else."Police said thefts of oil caps were reported from properties on Cedar and East Elm streets.Reigel said the caps, called a "Scully fill cap," aren't particularly valuable."A replacement costs maybe $6," said Reigel. They're made of plain white metal and aren't heavy enough to be a substantial lure to those looking to cash in at scrap metal recycling centers.Tamaqua police, however, are still investigating major thefts of copper heating pipes.For instance, exactly one year ago, thieves broke into and ransacked the Primitive Methodist Church, Hunter Street, which sustained $10,000 in damage to the heating system along with theft of meats and frozen goods from the church's food bank.The daring Nov. 8, 2013, crime hasn't been solved but is still under investigation.Cpl. Henry Woods said Wednesday various aspects are being examined "including DNA" technology in the case.Lately, metal thieves haven't been too successful.In September, two Tamaqua men were caught stealing copper pipes from a vacant Tamaqua home after a neighbor heard unexplained sounds at 4:19 a.m. and alerted authorities.The men were found soaking wet and police discovered copper pipes stacked on the floor. The suspects were arraigned on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief and possession of instruments of crime. Bail was set at $50,000 straight cash, sending both men to Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville.However, Woods said it's "unlikely" those two were responsible for the heist and vandalism at the church based on information police have at this point in time.Incidents of theft of recyclable metal tend to escalate when scrap prices are high.However, a worker at J. W. Zaprazny Scrap Metal Yard, New Ringgold, said Wednesday current prices aren't at peak. They're only at "average levels," he said.Bare bright copper is priced at $2.35 to $2.75 per pound and copper tubing is running at $2.15 to $2.65 per pound.In comparison, at peak on Feb. 7, 2011, copper reached $4.60, highest in a five-year span.Anyone with information about any of the thefts, whether copper, fuel tank caps, or anything else, is asked to contact Tamaqua police at 570-668-5000.