CARRABASSETT VALLEY — Police are investigating the theft of several hundred pounds of scrap copper wire from the Sugarloaf Mountain Golf maintenance department.

Police are not sure when it was taken, but is believed to be within the last couple of weeks, police Chief Mark Lopez said Friday.

The scrap pieces of 14-gauge copper wire were being stored in a holding crate at the maintenance garage. They were left over from work on an irrigation project that’s been under construction at the golf course for some time, he said.

“Technically, the wire is garbage and of little value to the golf course,” he said.

However, the project superintendent had planned to sell it to pay for a barbecue for the workers and keep the rest for future needs, Lopez said.

The value of the wire is estimated at less than $700. It’s $1 per pound with the coating on it and $2 per pound if the coating is stripped, he said. The wrapping could be in various colors — purple, orange, blue and green. If the wrapping is not removed, it could have “sprinkler wire” written in some places.

Carrabassett Valley Police Department has notified area law enforcement agencies, Maine State Police and some scrap yards about the theft.

abryant@sunjournal.com