WINDSOR TOWNSHIP — Windsor Grange Master Luella Pinson called The Tribune early last week to add a community yard sale notice to the calendar, but by Friday morning she called and said to cancel the announcement: Thieves had struck.

Pinson said Monday night someone broke into the grange hall on State Route 217 and stole copper pipes and other valuables from the building.

But when an insurance claims adjuster with Dickess Insurance went Thursday to inspect the damage, he went into the basement and found the damage was much more extensive than what was previously thought.

“We have no commodes. They even took the water lines and a copper line to the sewer,” she said. “This is an older building.”

For a small grange with only 25 or so members and a dozen or so active members, this thievery is disheartening.

“We’re the only community building in this area,” Pinson said.

The yard sale was to raise money for the repairs to items the members initially found damaged or stolen. But now, the repair costs are much larger than originally anticipated.

Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless said the grange is in unfortunate company: There have been several rural buildings hit by thieves, most of the time they are looking for the quick cash associated with scrap metal and find buildings that are not used daily an easy target.

“Some of them are churches that have people there on Sundays and Wednesdays but are not very often used in between (those days),” Lawless said. “We’ve seen air conditioner units cut off beside the wall and of course they’re looking for copper.”

Those with information that would lead to the arrest of the culprits are urged to call the sheriff’s office at (740) 532-3525. Those who want to donate to help the grange members with repairs to the building may call treasurer Enola Cade at (740) 532-8173.