Crime & Safety

Police: Man Caught Stealing Copper Downspouts From Church

A Lakewood resident who was walking his dog noticed the theft early Monday morning.

A man who was walking his dog at about 4 a.m. Monday noticed someone trying to steal the copper downspouts from Pilgrim Saint Lutheran Church and called police, Lakewood Police Chief Tim Malley said.

Officers arrived and searched the area until they found the suspect — 34-year-old Jason Kauffman of Cleveland — hiding on Marlowe, Malley said.

Police also found the stolen downspouts.

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Kauffman was charged with misdemeanor counts of petty theft and trespassing.

This is the second reported scrap theft in the last three days in Lakewood. Aluminum, gutters and storm windows were reported stolen from the backyard of a home in the 1400 block of Winton on Feb. 23.

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Malley said that, at this time, it could not be assumed that the two thefts are related.

The theft on Winton is still under investigation and anyone with information regarding it is encouraged to call the Lakewood Police Department at 216-521-6773.


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