Suspect steals copper piping from NH house

MANCHESTER, N.H. (WHDH) -- A sharp-eyed neighbor was credited with stopping a burglary in progress after he called police.

Police say a foreclosed home on Wellington Road in Manchester, New Hampshire was the target of the midday burglary on Tuesday -- one that a neighbor apparently saw in progress.

“Observed the individual enter the house through a rear window,” said Lieutenant Michael Hurley, Manchester, NH Police Department.

Police say 21-year-old Matthew Shaughnessy of Manchester has been charged with burglary.

As it turns out, the home used to belong to Shaugnessy’s aunt.

“She no longer owns the house and basically the house had been foreclosed on,” said Lt. Hurley.

Police say Shaugnessy swiped copper piping from the basement, flooding the home, and then took the piping to a recycling center. He only made $26 for three pounds.

Police say copper thefts are on the rise in Manchester, New Hampshire.

“We’ve seen quite a trend more and more so over the last maybe six months a year. Vacant homes, foreclosed homes, copper piping that appears to be valuable,” Lt. Hurley said.

Police say the suspect was already out on bail on a criminal mischief charge, and now he’ll have to post $2000 bail to get out of jail this time.