Kitchener man charged with Guelph copper theft

A Kitchener man is accused of causing nearly $40,000 in damage to a Guelph business.

The manager called in a technician when the heating wasn’t working at the building near Edinburgh Road North and Willow Road on the morning of Jan. 26.

They discovered “extensive” damage to two of the three rooftop units.

“It appeared copper wire valued at less than $100 had been cut and removed from one of the units,” Guelph Police said in a media release.

The cost to repair the units, however, was estimated at $19,000 each.

The thief also left some of their equipment at the scene.

“Security video showed a man lowering a ladder from the roof approximately 3:15 a.m. and climbing down,” police said. “The ladder and a reciprocating saw were left behind.”

A 55-year-old man from Kitchener was arrested on Apr. 24. He was charged with mischief over $5,000, disguise with intent, possession of break-in instruments and breaching a bail order.