K'zoo police report rash of copper pipe thefts from vacant homes

Police in Kalamazoo have reported a string of burglaries in vacant homes in which the thieves seem to have been mainly interested in stealing copper pipes. Lt. Dave Ostrander said that "there have been 15 burglaries of vacant homes in which the property taken is primarily copper piping from the basements' since June 1.

AP Wire

Aug 22, 2011

Ostrander said the thieves targeted homes that had been empty for weeks or months, and many of the homes had for rent or for sale signs in the front yard. He said the burglaries are mainly in the Vine Neighborhood, and the thieves broke in through lower windows or doors.