A pair of men were caught trying to make off with a massive amount of toilets, sinks, fixtures and copper wire from a closed Gilroy business late last week.
On March 14 at 5:04 p.m., De Li Chen, 43, and Bi Feng Lin, 39, had removed the fixtures and stripped copper from electrical wires when the owner of the building — a closed restaurant on San Ysidro Avenue — walked in and caught them in the act.
According to Sgt. Pedro Espinoza, the property owner claimed the total damage is valued at $100,000.
Copper wire is valuable, which makes it an oft-stolen item. Espinoza said thieves sell the wire at recycling centers.
Lin and Chen were charged with vandalism, for ransacking the vacant building.
