Man admits theft attempt at school construction site
An Ingleside man was placed on probation for two years Thursday after admitting he tried to steal copper pipe from a construction site at Grant High School in Fox Lake. Kevin Gatschet, 46, pleaded guilty to burglary during a hearing before Lake County Associate Judge George Bridges.
Assistant State's Attorney Brett Henne said a Fox Lake water department employee saw Gatschet walking inside a fenced area at the school around midnight Oct. 14.
The man called police and a Lake County sheriff's deputy found Gatschet hiding inside the new wing of the school at 285 E. Grand Ave. The area was under construction.
Gatschet was found standing next to a pile of copper pipes 1 inch to 21/2 inches wide and 5-feet to 12-feet long, Henne said.
Gatschet, of the 500 block of Lincoln Street, admitted he had entered the building, which had not yet had windows installed, to steal copper pipe to sell for scrap.
He told police he had cut a hole in the fence around the site to enter the building, Henne said.
Associate Judge George Bridges told Gatschet he must complete any substance abuse treatment recommended by his probation officer as a condition of his sentence.
Henne said Gatschet could have been sentenced to up to seven years in prison if convicted after a trial.