MERCER -- Men in the process of cutting out all the copper pipe in a house for sale on U.S. Route 2 Monday evening were interrupted by the arrival of a real estate agent and prospective buyers.

"It was quite a surprise. I saw a strange truck in the driveway when we pulled in," said Dan Savage from Surette Century 21. "We had gone around the back and I walked right into one of them coming up from the basement stairs, carrying a load of copper.

"They ran back inside and bailed out the windows and took off into the woods," he said.

Savage called 911 while the other two men and two women persuaded Lawrence Bagley, 19, and Michael McGowan, 22, both of Skowhegan to return. McGowan, however, ran back to his pickup and sped off, Savage said.

Trooper Bruce Scott said McGowan was pulled over on nearby Bacon Road by Troopers Aaron Turcotte and Chris Carr and both he and Bagley were arrested and charged with burglary, criminal mischief and attempted theft. The Somerset County Sheriff's Department also assisted in searching for McGowan.

Bagley was out on probation on a prior burglary and theft conviction and is being held without bail at the Somerset County jail. McGowan's bail was $500.

"They cut most of the pipes and had stacked them up outside. The basement was pretty well gutted," Scott said. "They told me they planned to sell it for scrap at a local metal recycling business."

Metals, wire and copper prices are surging worldwide and thefts of these products are becoming more common. Scott said vacant buildings are an easy target and he advises the community to call local police if they see any suspicious activity.

Betty Jespersen -- 778-6991

bjespersen@centralmaine.com