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Police: Copper thieves targeted abandoned Dillons building

April 19, 2012|by John Boyd and Brian Heap | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(WICHITA, Kan.) — Wichita police are looking for clues after thieves broke into an abandoned grocery store and made made off with $10,000 worth of copper refrigerant tubing.

Police say thieves broke open a basement door of the old Dillons at Douglas and Meridian and removed hundreds of feet of copper tubing.

It's unclear exactly when the crime occurred, but the theft was reported to police around 10:00 p.m. Wednesday.

"This is a crime of opportunity," said WPD Lt. Doug Nolte.  "Some of these larger vacant commercial properties are very attractive targets."

A neighbor told Eyewitness News the building has attracted graffiti and trash since it was shuttered more than three years ago. 

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The scrap value of the copper was estimated at $10,000.  But Nolte said the actual replacement cost would be significantly higher. 

Police ask those who live near abandoned buildings to be extra vigilant and call 911 whenever they see suspicious activity.

Police say thieves broke open a basement door of the old Dillons at Douglas and Meridian and removed hundreds of feet of copper tubing.
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