The Fenton Police Department is investigating the theft of copper pipes stolen from five businesses in the city's industrial park between 3:10-6:30 a.m. Friday. Thieves cut the water supply and fire suppression pipes outside the buildings, stealing pipes and causing thousands of dollars in water damage, police Chief Rick Aro said.

The pipe taken from each business would be worth around $50 as scrap metal, he said.

Fenton Police have increased patrols in the area, and detectives are checking with places that buy scrap metal.

A passer-by noticed the damage and called 911, Aro said. The cutting of the pipes, which investigators said was done with a saw-type tool, resulted in a large volume of water flowing at the businesses, which are located in the 200 and 400 blocks of Fenway Drive and the 1000 block of Fenway Circle.

The businesses were Shouse Tool Inc., Loramendi Inc., B & K Corp., Genesys Therapy Services and Fenton Family Medicine.

Vehicle reported stolen

In a separate incident, an apartment resident in the 300 block of Georgetown Parkway reported his 1995 Oldsmobile Ciera missing on Friday morning. The man had parked the vehicle in front of the apartment around 8 p.m. Thursday and discovered it missing at approximately 8:07 a.m. Friday.

The keys were not in the vehicle; the victim had them, Aro said. The car owner was unsure of any suspects. The car was described as a a dark blue, four-door Oldsmobile with a blue cloth interior. It has missing hubcaps on both front wheels.

This case is open and under investigation, Aro said.

Back to the Bricks Tune Up Party

The Back to the Bricks Tune Up Party on Thursday evening in downtown Fenton went well, Aro said.

"We counted 314 cars," the police chief said. Around 3,000 to 5,000 people attended the event, which took place in conjunction with the Concert in the Park and Fenton Farmers Market.

It was a nice evening with great cars, Aro said. Police made one arrest for disorderly intoxication.

Fenton Police Department on Facebook

The Fenton Police Department has started its own Facebook page to use in sharing information with the public, Aro said. It's listed under Fenton Police Department, not to be confused with Friends of the Fenton Police Department.

People who "like" or "friend" the Police Department on its Facebook page will receive information on their computer, PDA, BlackBerry or other designated device as police post it. Citizens will not be able to post on the page's wall, Aro said.