Man arrested for allegedly scrapping copper wire inside Maui Sands

SANDUSKY – A man was arrested Thursday afternoon after he allegedly entered the abandoned Maui Sands hotel and attempted to steal copper wire from inside.

According to a report from the Perkins Township Police Department, officers were patrolling the parking lot of the Milan Road building and observed a vehicle parked near the south side of the building. Soon after, according to the report, they observed a man, identified as 40-year-old Chad Burdue, of Berlin Heights, walking out of the abandoned building to the vehicle.

According to the report, police approached Burdue and placed him in hand restraints. Inside his vehicle, police observed copper wiring, which Burdue admitted was from inside the building, the report states.

The report states that inside the building, officers observed recently ripped-down ceiling tiles and drywall, along with wire ripped out of the ceiling.

Burdue was arrested and charged with criminal damaging, a fourth-degree misdemeanor, criminal trespass, a third-degree misdemeanor, and theft, a first-degree misdemeanor. The theft charge was signed on behalf of the property owner and manager.

Burdue was also charged with driving under suspension, due to his license being under child support suspension. He was also arrested on a bench warrant.

The Maui Sands hotel closed in 2019, and the building was condemned soon after.

This article was written by Nate Hinners. Contact Nate at nhinners@huroninsider.com.