PI Police investigate copper thefts
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Police are investigating two separate reports of copper theft in the Star City that occurred early last week. Both cases involved homes being marketed by realtors.
The Presque Isle Police Department received the first report at around 11:34 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 26. The caller, identified as a local realtor, advised police a house she was showing on the Niles Road was broken into and copper pipes were taken. Officer Joey Seeley, of the PIPD, responded to investigate.
It’s believed entry was made within the last three weeks, with several feet of copper tubing being taken. Police spoke with neighbors but no one recalled seeing anything suspicious. Police asked the realtor and homeowner to obtain an estimate of the damage and report the incident to the insurance company.
Police were unable to obtain evidence at the scene, due to the number of people who were on site prior to police being notified.
A second report of a similar nature was received by the PIPD on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
A second local realtor called to report the theft of copper from a house he has listed on the Washburn Road. Sgt. Mark Barnes, of the PIPD, responded to the home to investigate.
Barnes determined the thief somehow gained entry to the house, cutting the majority of the copper piping located in the basement. Photos and other evidence were collected for comparison.
Police asked the realtor and homeowner to provide them with an estimate of the damage.
The two thefts remain under investigation. Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call the PIPD at 764-4476.
