Two city employees were suspended Friday for allegedly stealing copper wire out of Baltimore City Hall and Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse, and then selling it for scrap, officials said.

City Inspector General Hilton Green said the scheme was uncovered during a nine-month investigation of the employees who work for the city’s General Services division.

The wire was pulled from defunct air condition ducts in City Hall and the courthouse during the daytime, Green said. The pair then sold copper wire to area scrap yards, netting them $50,000 in profits, Green said.

“They were observed going into the building pulling out copper wire and taking it out of the yard for cash,” Green said.

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Green declined to name the employees because the probe is ongoing.

“Right now we’re getting information that more buildings have been targeting and get reports of more theft,” he said. “We also don’t want to name names now because it’s starting to go up the ladder.”

Tools used by the employees to remove the wire — including handsaws owned by the city — also were confiscated at the scene, Green said.

The Baltimore city police department has joined the investigation Green said. The employees may also face criminal charges.

Sterling Clifford, spokesman for Mayor Sheila Dixon lauded Green’s efforts.

“They basically stole from every taxpayer in the city, and we expect these individuals to be punished.”

sjanis@baltimoreexaminer.com