Rail

MN: Two Light-Rail Copper Thefts Cause $20K Damage

July 17, 2012

Whoever stole copper wire from two St. Paul light-rail transit construction sites caused an estimated $20,000 in damage, a Central Corridor LRT spokeswoman said Monday, July 16.

Source St. Paul Pioneer Press (Minnesota)

Whoever stole copper wire from two St. Paul light-rail transit construction sites caused an estimated $20,000 in damage, a Central Corridor LRT spokeswoman said Monday, July 16.

The wire, valued at about $2,000, was stolen Thursday night or Friday morning. Stations under construction at University and Western avenues and at Cedar and Tenth streets were targeted, said Laura Baenen, LRT spokeswoman.

Thirty ground wires were stolen from the Western Avenue station, said Sgt. Paul Paulos, St. Paul police spokesman. No one has been arrested, he said.

The damage will cost the contractor about $20,000 to repair, Baenen said.

Mara H. Gottfried can be reached at 651-228-5262. Follow her attwitter.com/MaraGottfried ortwitter.com/ppUsualSuspects .