York Regional police are looking for $800,000 worth of stolen copper, and they’re asking scrapyard owners to be on the lookout for the stolen goods.

Officers say 200,000 pounds of copper wire and an orange pump-action fork lift were stolen from a Markham commercial business.

Police aren’t sure exactly when the items were taken, but it happened at a business on Royal Crest Court, near Warden Avenue and 14th Avenue, sometime between Saturday and Monday.

“I don’t want to speak to how common this is, but copper is becoming increasingly expensive and more sought after by thieves,” Const. Blair McQuillan told CityNews.

“With the prices being what they are, a small amount of copper can command a large dollar amount.”

Financial gain is the main motivator, McQuillan said, and construction sites and buildings are often targets.

Anyone with information is asked to call York Regional police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7545 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.