(The Associated Press circulated the following article on November 22.)
BARNSEVILLE, Minn. — Several feet of railroad tracks are missing from the Ulen and Barnseville areas in Clay County.
The missing tracks are part of railroad lines that have been abandoned or are under construction.
Sheriff Bill Bergquist says investigators believe the case is linked to the recent rash of copper and aluminum thefts across the region. Similar cases have been reported in Iowa and South Dakota.
West Fargo (North Dakota) Police Chief Arland Rasmussen says federal authorities are looking into the matter. Rasmussen is coordinating a local effort to quash the thefts.
Police say the stolen tracks and metal are being sold to scrapyards for cash.