Sarnia-Lambton Crime Stoppers is appealing to the public for information following a copper theft and utility vault fire near the Sarnia Library that resulted in significant infrastructure damage.
On September 8, the organization said emergency crews responded to reports of an active fire originating inside an underground utility vault located near the library at 124 Christina Street South.
Investigators determined the blaze was sparked by damaged copper wiring.
A witness reported seeing a male suspect, wearing a black sweater and jeans, exit the service tunnel and walk northbound on Christina Street.
A red backpack, abandoned near the vault, was recovered.
The investigation deepened on September 19 when safety concerns were flagged about a hazardous vault grate.
Upon inspecting the site, workers discovered copper grounding wires had been stripped and removed from the vault structure.
While the market value of the stolen copper is estimated at roughly $250, the cost to repair and replace the damaged infrastructure is expected to reach thousands of dollars.
Although Sarnia Fire and Rescue Services and the Sarnia Police Service didn't issue formal news releases, Crime Stoppers has featured the incident as its Crime of the Week.
Anyone with details regarding the incident or the suspect is asked to contact Sarnia Lambton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit an online tip at www.p3tips.com.
Tips can be submitted anonymously.
