Thousands of dollars in copper stolen from former Kasson school

City administrator Randy Lenth opened up the former Kasson school Wednesday morning so representatives from Sherman Associates, including a construction manager, could take another look at the building. What he found is individuals had entered the locked building through a side door and stolen thousands of dollars worth of copper piping from the building.  Lenth notified the Kasson police and they took several photos.

Copper piping from the basement to the top floor was removed from the building over a period of time that was believed to be more than one day.

They had an elaborate system for removing the pipe. From the basement to the main level  ramps were set up to cart the pipe up the stairs. The larger copper pipe was in the basement. At the top of the stairs on the main level a  long bench was built so  they could cut the pipe. In the former lunch room a large black tarp covered a window so nobody could look in.

Police Chief Ken Schuck said they determined the theft took place over a period of several hours and days some time between December and last week when the break-in was discovered.
The police chief and city administrator said it was unusual that no one called. Typically if anything suspicious is going on a neighbor will call police or city hall.

They believe the thieves entered the building through a northwest door which enters a hallway at the north end of the building. It is evident the lock was broke and there was forced entry. Looking at all of the pipe wrap strewn from room to room it's obvious the thieves knew what they were doing.
Counselor Realtor Kathy O'Malley had the building opened so staff from Sherman Associates Inc. of Minneapolis cold go through the building. Sherman Associates signed a purchase agreement in February to buy the building. They were given 270 days to secure Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financing. Kathy 'O'Malley said she was "sick" when she saw the mess the thieves made when they stole the pipe.

Police Chief Schuck said, in cooperation with the Dodge County Sheriff's Department, they are working with a network that can track locations  where the copper might have been sold. Other than that they are asking for assistance from public. Anyone who might have seen a vehicle or someone around the building or on the playground between December and now should contact the Kasson police at 634-3881.