Boardman copper thieves leave watery mess

BOARDMAN — Thieves stole about $60 in copper piping from a vacant house on Terrace Drive, leaving a water-filled basement in their wake.

An employee of Gary Crim In., Market Street, Youngstown, which owns the house, told police that the company received a $4,000 water bill for the property.

When the employee went to the house to investigate, he found the front door forced open, copper piping gone and the basement filled with water.

The damage occurred sometime within the last month, the employee believes.

Neighbors reported seeing vehicles in the driveway of the vacant house over the last few weeks. It appeared people were working on the house, the neighbors told police.