Bloomingdale copper thief must pay $50,000

A Roselle man who posed as an electrician to steal copper wire from Bloomingdale office buildings has been ordered to pay more than $50,000 in restitution, authorities said Friday.

Donald Eggers, 39, of the 200 block of Devon Avenue, also must serve two years of probation and up to six months in jail after pleading guilty to burglary.

Eggers carried tools and identified himself as an electrician when he arrived at several Bloomingdale office buildings on five occasions in July, authorities said. He took out ceiling tiles and wall outlets in vacant suites and other areas to remove copper wire, which he then sold to recyclers.

Eggers was arrested after an employee called police shortly after 6 a.m. July 21 to report a suspicious person. Police said Eggers burglarized buildings on the 100 block of Fairfield Way and the 100 and 200 blocks of Lake Street.

On Thursday, DuPage County Judge John Kinsella ordered Eggers to pay about $51,500 in restitution to the building owners and their insurance providers.

Eggers also received a specialized form of probation that allows for inpatient drug treatment. If he completes the program, he can seek to vacate his felony conviction, Assistant Public Defender Ricky Holman said.