Brainerd P.D. Nab Copper Theft Suspect

Copper thefts are on the increase in the Brainerd Lakes Area. 

Brainerd Police grabbed a sleeping bandit Wednesday morning.  He is accused of breaking into a house on the 1100 block of Brook Street.  Police suspect 29 year-old Kristopher Paul Piognee was taking a nap while in the process of stealing copper pipes from the unoccupied house which was under renovation.  He is also suspected of breaking into a garage and another unoccupied house.

Piognee is in the Crow Wing County Jail awaiting formal charges.

Brainerd Police Chief Corky McQuiston says the theft of recyclable metals is on the increase in the area.  He says thieves are hunting for copper pipes, copper wires and water meters.