ST. LOUIS – At least 17 people have been charged with copper wire theft in the two weeks since an EF-3 tornado tore through St. Louis, with many arrests taking place in hard-hit, tornado-damaged zones.

FOX 2 previously reported of six individuals charged over copper wire thefts from May 20-21, followed by seven additional suspects charged from May 22-23, and two of out-of-towners charged from a May 26 incident. That brought the total to at least 15.

Now, two additional individuals have been charged over copper wire thefts since the tornado, raising the total to at least 17 charged over the last two weeks.

On Thursday, the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office charged Anthony Mack, 62, and Parilee Mack, 60, both of St. Louis, with three felony counts each of stealing ($750 or more) in connection with a recent copper wire scheme.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Anthony and Parilee owned a van piled with several different types of cut copper-containing wire containing copper. Officers spotted the van near Marcus Avenue and Kingshighway Boulevard in St. Louis’ Kingsway East neighborhood at an undisclosed time and date.

When questioned by officers, both suspects claimed the wire had been given to them by “DC Cable,” according to court documents. However, police determined that various portions of the wire were owned separately by Ameren, Charter and AT&T.

Investigators say each company’s share of stolen wire was valued at more than $750, resulting in felony charges.

Copper wire thefts have become a recurring problem around the St. Louis region in recent years, drawing renewed attention since the May 16 tornado. Authorities say thieves often strip black casings to extract ultra-fine copper wiring, sometimes burning it to remove insulation and sell it for scrap.

FOX 2 reached out to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for an updated count of individuals charged in copper wire thefts since the tornado, plus for additional information on ongoing enforcement efforts. Our request for comment has not been returned as of this story’s publication.

A 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew is still in effect for St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Districts 5 and 6 – an area that includes several neighborhoods north and east of Forest Park – two weeks after the tornado.