NORTH ANDOVER — Police said thieves broke into the National Grid facility on Turnpike Street early yesterday morning and filled a pickup truck bed with about 4,000 pounds of copper wire valued at about $8,000.
When the pickup truck became stuck in mud, police said the thieves broke into a National Grid bucket truck and used it to help free the getaway vehicle.
North Andover police Lt. Paul Gallagher said three, 1,300-pound spools of copper wire were stolen from 1103 Turnpike St., along with smaller amounts of the metal.
"That's quite a load," Gallagher said.
With the price of copper listed at more than $2 per pound at local scrap yards, each spool is likely worth $2,600 to $2,700.
Gallagher said National Grid first called North Andover police at 8:20 a.m. yesterday to report that the bucket truck was stolen.
Police said they believe at least two thieves drove a pickup truck to the rear of an adjacent property and cut through a chain-link fence to gain access to the National Grid facility.
The thieves stole the wire from garages. A bucket truck was then broken into and used to push the pickup truck out of the mud, Gallagher said.
Gallagher said police found the bucket truck covered in mud in a nearby parking lot.
He said the theft likely occurred between 3 and 4 a.m.
This is not the first time copper has been stolen from there.
In November 2007, police arrested four men from Lynn and Everett after they found $2,000 worth of copper wire belonging to National Grid in the back of their U-Haul van. Police also found wire cutters and camouflage clothing in the van. An officer spotted the van parked next to 1103 Turnpike St. and later pulled it over on Route 114.
The men were charged with larceny over $250, trespassing and possession of burglary instruments.
National Grid spokesman David Graves said copper theft is a widespread problem for the utility company. Last year, in Buffalo, N.Y., he said a man suffered severe burns after he attempted to steal copper wiring from an operating electrical substation.
"This has become a problem as the value of copper has gone up," said Graves. "Obviously, for a thief it becomes a very attractive target."
In response, Graves said National Grid has upped security measures at its facilities.
"But obviously, you can't be there around the clock," said Graves.
Gallagher said Officer Stephen Diminico was first to arrive on scene yesterday. He soon called detectives Robert Barter and Thomas Donovan to investigate.
Gallagher said police are working with National Grid security in their investigation and hope to check for surveillance footage at the facility.
