At least $10,000 worth of multiconductor electric wiring was cut from the Penobscot River’s heavy portable docks, which were stored on the Bangor Waterfront during the winter, according to police reports.

An employee of the Electrical Division of Bangor Public Works reported the theft at 12:15 p.m. Friday after finding that 23 cables had been removed by bolt or cable cutters.

The theft or thefts could have occurred anytime between Friday and last November, when the docks were removed from the river in preparation for winter. Police have no leads.

Police believe they were stolen for the copper wiring wound on the inside. Copper has become a popular target for thieves because of its high resale value.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the theft to contact the police department at 947-7384. (Nick McCrea, BDN)

A Bangor man escaped police custody Friday afternoon after being sentenced at Bangor Superior Court and was arrested again after a brief foot chase downtown.

After Richard Hatch, 27, left the court around 3:15 p.m., he managed to escape a police officer and took off on foot. The officer, however, caught up with Hatch in a parking lot on nearby Columbia Street.

Another officer arrived in a police cruiser and transported the recaptured Hatch to Penobscot County Jail. (Nick McCrea, BDN)