A Burlington man has been charged with theft for stealing copper piping, and other items from an area residence.
On April 29th, 2023, Des Moines County Sheriff’s deputies took a report of a burglary at 6871 Highway 61. The victim reported copper piping was cut and stolen from the residence between April 20th and 29th.
The estimate to repair the copper piping was over $11,000. There were also some miscellaneous items stolen from the residence including a set of antique wrenches.
In May, detectives learned that 32-year-old John Stanley Kephart Jr. of Burlington had taken about 250 pounds of copper and mixed brass to a local recycling center only days before deputies took the report of the stolen property.
The video surveillance from the recycling center showed Kephart Jr. scrapping two antique wrenches along with over 50 2-3-foot long sections of copper piping and couplings during those two visits. The victim identified the antique wrenches as being stolen from the residence.
On Tuesday, August 8th, detectives met with Kephart Jr. at the Des Moines County Correctional Center.
Kephart Jr. was charged with Theft 1st Degree, a C Felony. The investigation into the burglary of 6871 US Highway 61 is ongoing.