Copper wire theft damages heating units at Guelph business

A box full of cupper wire is seen in this undated file image.

Guelph Police say thefts of copper wire caused more than $20,000 in damage to rooftop heating units.

Police say the manager of an unnamed business, near Edinburgh Road North and Willow Road, contacted officers Monday afternoon after discovering the building’s heating system was not working properly. A technician later found extensive damage to at least two rooftop units.

“It appeared copper wire valued at less than $100 had been cut and removed from one of the units,” police said in a media release. “The technician estimated the damage to each unit at $12,000 to $18,000.”

According to police, security video showed a man lowering a ladder from the roof around 3:15 a.m. and climbing down. Police say he left behind the ladder and a reciprocating saw.

In a separate incident, reported Monday afternoon, an employee at a business near Regal Road and Curtis Drive said their heating unit had been damaged sometime over the weekend and the culprit had cut a fence to grain access the property. It was unclear if anything was stolen in that incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Const. Shane Wilson at 519-824-1212, ext. 7586 or email [e-mail].