Wamego Police are investigating the theft of copper electric wire from light poles at the tennis courts, located at highway 24 and Balderson Boulevard. Assistant Police chief Paul Schliffke tells KMAN the theft and criminal damage to property was discovered by city crews shortly after 8 a.m. Monday, and it involved stripping the wires at six to eight light poles.
Schliffke adds there was also damage reported to a power junction center that ran the system in the area.
The Pottawatomie County sheriff’s department is assisting in the investigation. An exact loss amount has not yet been determined, but Schliffke indicates coper wire apparently was the objective of the suspect or suspects.
Just last Friday, Riley County Police put out an advisory about copper theft, indicating the theft of copper and other metals has been on the rise in the US since 2009, likely sold by suspects in an attempt to make financial gain.
