An unknown man was seen trying to pull copper downspouts off the side of the Longmeadow Street church.
Exterior of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Longmeadow.LONGMEADOW - Police are investigating a report that someone on Monday morning attempted to pull copper downspouts off the side of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 335 Longmeadow St.
Police were called to the church at about 11:15 a.m. for a report of a man being seen pulling at a 15- to 20-foot section of downspout on the side of the church.
The suspect was last seen getting into a small, silver two-door vehicle and driving off.
He was described by police only as a heavy-set male with long hair.
Police are trying to determine if the incident is connected with March 25 robbery. A homeowner on Farmingham Road reported to police that someone had stolen gutters from the rear of his house. The gutters were aluminum and painted to resemble copper, and police suspect they were taken by someone assuming the gutters were real copper.
The two incidents are the latest in a series of metal thefts in the area in recent months, driven by the high cost of recycled metal. Springfield police reported last week that as many as 10 manhole and water drain covers, weighing up to 200 pounds each, were taken by metal thieves.
Longmeadow police ask that anyone with information about the thefts call them at (413) 567-3311.