Electricity theft rising in Detroit

The Detroit News reports:

Desperation can make people do stupid and dangerous things. So can greed.

Both motivators are at work in Metro Detroit to fuel what DTE Energy calls an epidemic of utility thefts. As many as 70,000 Michigan homes and businesses -- or roughly 3 percent of DTE's customers -- are stealing natural gas and electricity. While the bulk of the illegal hookups are in Detroit, the thefts are found in nearly every community throughout the region.

And they are doing it in the most high-risk fashion.

Great moments in Blue America.