Blue Earth police and Faribault County authorities may be getting closer to solving a recent break-in at an electric business.

“We’ve talked to several people, have some good leads and definitely made progress,” says Police Chief Tom Fletcher. “We know it was more than a one-man operation. We’re looking at multiple people.”

The sheriff’s department responded to a call at 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 26 involving a suspicious vehicle parked along County Road 5.

Authorities determined it was a van stolen from Electric Service Company in Blue Earth and all items had been removed.

A second stolen van also was found on a minimum maintenance road off County Road 8.

According to Fletcher, burglars broke a door lock to enter the Electric Service building on Dec. 25th or 26th.

The police chief says employees spent more than a day taking inventory to try and determine what was missing.

“It was all kinds of wire … tens of thousands of feet,” he says. “Just at the top of the list, it’s about 21,000 feet. “

Fletcher says value of the wire alone is estimated at $18,000.

Figuring out what tools were taken and what they’re worth is going to be harder.

“Trying to track down what is actually missing will be tough,” says Fletcher. “They have tools in the building, vehicles and at job sites.”

Jim Meyer, owner of Electric Service, says he hasn’t done any calculations, but the electrician tools cost several thousands of dollars.

“We’re still in the process of getting things lined up for the insurance company,” he says.

Authorities are seeking the public’s help.

Anyone having any information is asked to call the police department at (507) 526-5959 or sheriff’s department at (507) 526-5148.