HOPKINS CO., KY (WFIE) -
In Hopkins County, the sheriff's office is investigating a string of copper thefts at the site of the new Career and Tech Center.
Authorities say more than $40,000 worth of metal has been stolen over the past several months.
In December, construction came to a halt on the Hopkins County Career and Tech Center due to settlement issues. Since then, the site has been quiet. At least that's what everyone thought.
"Basically just the tubing, the metal, the wires, they just stripped it. They've gone in and taken it out and ripped it out," said Detective Will Coursey.
Detective Coursey with the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office says they believe this has been going on since March.
"You're talking a lot of copper. I don't think it's anything that they could have done or happened at one time. Based on what we've seen in the past, it was probably multiple times," Coursey said.
The school board is now the process of discussing insurance on the stolen materials, but Lori Harrison, the Hopkins County Schools Communication Specialist, says they've also stepped up their security at the site.
"We certainly appreciate that law enforcement has stepped up patrols out in the area. As far as security measures that are out there, there is a locked gate and there have been use of security cameras as well," Harrison said.
Within the past month, new legislation passed in Kentucky to make it harder for thieves to sell these stolen metals. But Coursey says it's hasn't helped yet, mainly because it's so new.
The sheriff's office says they have no suspects for this particular incident, but stress the consequences for committing this crime are steep.
"It depends what all they're doing in the process to steal it. Possibly a misdemeanor but not likely. Most the time you're going to be charged with felonies if we catch you," Coursey said.
If you have any information on these thefts, contact the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
Authorities say more than $40,000 worth of metal has been stolen over the past several months.
