A man suspected of stealing copper downspouts and gutters in a handful of incidents this summer likely is not linked to a series of similar incidents that occurred during the past two years.

Hinsdale police Sgt. Erik Bernholdt said investigators continue to follow up on leads related to five incidents dating from June 5 through the latest report, Sept. 27 in the 100 block of Hickory Street. Witnesses reported a man driving away from a home after taking a $500 copper downspout.

“We do have a suspect in mind for this case, although we have not spoken to the man yet,” Bernholdt said.
No neighboring law enforcement agencies have reported similar thefts during the past few months, he added.

Thefts in the Hinsdale cases this summer resulted in $2,400 in property losses, police said.

“Right now copper is valued highly by scrap metal dealers, so we are seeing some activity here in town lately,” said Deputy Police Chief Mark Wodka. “Copper is malleable and can be folded up so it is easier to transport.”

Police said the recent rash of thefts appear to be occurring at homes that are not occupied.

In one case, a home in the 800 block of Elm Street was targeted three times between June 5 and Aug. 11, police said.

Two times the thief made off with copper downspouts, and on one occasion the thief drove off before removing copper gutters after an employee of a home builder on the job site spooked the intruder, police said.

Bernholdt said the man in the summer cases is not a suspect in a Sept. 15 case, where copper wire was stolen from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in downtown Hinsdale.

“We don’t think it is the same person,” he said.

Investigators continue to talk with area scrap metal dealers to provide additional information, Bernholdt said.

“Copper pays a little bit better than other metals at this time, and because it is pliable it can be folded over into a smaller package for easy storage, even in a small car,” he said.