Alleged Copper Thief Busted at Former Meriden-Wallingford Hospital: Report

MERIDEN, CT — A 32-year-old Meriden man was arrested on burglary and larceny charges Tuesday after police caught him allegedly stealing about 60 pounds of copper piping, fixtures and faucets from the former Meriden-Wallingford Hospital, reports the Meriden Record-Journal.

Police said James Perry was spotted leaving the vacant building on Cook Avenue at about 7 a.m. carrying a bag that allegedly contained the items. The closed up, abandoned building is owned by the City of Meriden and is marked no trespassing.

Perry was charged with third-degree burglary, fourth-degree criminal mischief, sixth-degree larceny, possession of burglary tools and criminal trespass, according to the publication. He was held in lieu of a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 4.

Click here to read the full story on the Meriden-Record Journal website.

Photo: Copper pipes by Flickr user DaveBleasdale via Creative Commons