CHICAGO (AP) - A worker at Chicago’s Midway Airport has been charged with stealing copper runway wire.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office says David Coates was charged with one count of theft and faces up to five years in prison if found guilty.

Coates worked for the Chicago Department of Aviation and pumped gas at Midway.

Prosecutors say Coates was seen on video Tuesday leaving his work station in his truck to cut pieces from a copper runway wire.

Chicago police found he had taken about 500 feet of wire worth about $700 since Sunday. Prosecutors say he sold it at a scrap yard.

A judge on Thursday set his bond at $25,000. It wasn’t immediately clear if Coates had an attorney. There was no public phone listing for Coates.

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