Bloomington man pleads guilty in ISU copper theft

Jacob Schultz will see eight years in prison for stealing several thousand dollars worth of copper from an old ISU residence hall. (Photo courtesy McLean County Jail)
Jacob Schultz will see eight years in prison for stealing several thousand dollars worth of copper from an old ISU residence hall. (Photo courtesy McLean County Jail)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man has been sentenced to eight years behind bars for stealing several thousand dollars worth of copper from a decommissioned residence hall at Illinois State University.

Jacob Schultz, 31, pleaded guilty to felony theft and burglary charges earlier this week. Illinois State is seeking restitution of almost $90,000 for the copper that was stolen.

Tyler Reinitz, 31, faces burglary charges for the same incident in September 2014. He’s due in court again in October.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…