ROCHESTER, Minn. – Two men were caught inside the old AMPI dairy near downtown, where there have been a series of night-time copper thefts. Arrested were Ron Degener, 55, and Chad Westby, 43. Charges of burglary and damage to property were referred. Police were alerted that a suspicious vehicle was parked again at the plant. When officers arrived, they found a chain-link fence was cut. They heard loud noises inside. Westby gave up, police said, but Degener fled. He was chased and caught. Previous AMPI copper thefts were reported December 24 to 28.
Black-market copper
A typical copper theft is 200 to 300 feet of wire, which s about all that a night burglar can handle. Scrapyards will pay about $500.
Degener. Ran but caught.
Westby. Put hands up.