West Des Moines Police Investigate Rash of Construction Site Thefts

Contractors at three different job sites reported to they’re out a total of $17,050 in tools and materials as a result of a rash of thefts, all discovered on April 9.

Cook Plumbing Corp., a contractor working on the Whole Foods store at 4100 University Ave., reported that someone stole an unknown number of black steel pipes and fittings and other equipment with a combined value of around $1,050.

Van Maanen Electric of Madrid reported that copper wire was stolen from a construction trailer parked at the Clegg Park School, 1020 Eighth St. The suspect cut the padlock off the trailer and took three roles of copper wire, valued at $1,000. The construction site is fenced in, and police say the suspect may have either jumped the fence at the entrance or at a spot where the fence is not as high.

Manatt’s Inc. reported that miscellaneous tools valued at $15,000 were stolen from a utility truck parked at at 620 S. 11th St.