Thieves Cause Damage to Vacant Building

Gerdau Recycling, Euclid Avenue, McKenzie was the location of a theft of electrical wiring and infrastructure from the vacant building once used as Mars Pet Food.

There should have been a human body found dead just below the electrical breaker box that was shorted as thieves attempted to steal the box, said the representative of Gerdau.

Officer Kyle Beauchamp filed the report on May 15, when Gerdau said thieves had entered the vacant building and attempted to steal the electrical components. Sergeant Austin Jones assisted in the investigation. The thieves were obviously not aware the electrical system was still energized. They severely damaged the electrical system when they removed cooper wiring. Some $60,000 - $80,000 damage was done to the breaker boxes and a/c units. Another $120,000 worth of copper was taken.

Several of the thieves’ tools remained below the 480-volt breaker box, where the suspects had arced the box, which should have caused a loud explosion and flash of light. The Gerdau representative said there should have been a dead body beneath the breaker. The suspect surely sustained burns to the face and arms.

Police recovered bolt cutters, a hack saw, work gloves, and other tools.