A West York couple were in for a rude surprise when they tried to draw water from a tap.

After discovering that water was not flowing from the tap, the couple found that someone had removed all the copper pipes from the basement of their 1210 W. Poplar St. home while they were away for three weeks, according to West York Police.

Also missing from the home were a number of family portraits that were hanging on the walls, police said.

The couple reported the theft on Saturday.

Entry into the home was likely made through an unlocked door, police said.

A second copper theft, which police believe is likely related to the West Poplar Street theft, was reported to police on Monday.

That theft happened at a house at 1120 W. King St. that has been vacant for about three years, police said.

A neighbor discovered that the rear door of the home was open and called police. A responding officer found that the padlocks had been broken off the door and the door to a garage, police said.

The copper pipes in the basement were cut away in the same manner as those stolen during the West Poplar Street theft, police said.