(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police are investigating the theft of copper wire from an irrigation system at a farm. Michael Hayes, on June 9th, reported the theft at the request of his insurance company to cover the $10,000 cost of replacing the wire.

A sheriff’s deputy met the 55-year old Hayes in the Kingsford Heights area and was escorted to where the theft occurred on farmland along County Road 700 East near County Road 1125 South.  About 1,300 feet of one inch in diameter copper wire was removed from the top of the irrigation system.

Hayes, who lives along Koontz Lake, reported the theft occurred sometime between September of last year and June 8th.

So far, no leads have been reported in the case.

Authorities stated that whoever is responsible, if arrested, will be charged with theft as a Level 6 felony (which is punishable in Indiana by a six-to-30 month sentence).