West Midlands Police say they charged a man after dry riser valves and copper pipework were stolen from tower blocks in Birmingham.
The 47-year-old was arrested in connection with the metal thefts in Bloomsbury Street, Nechells, in August and Sladefield Road, Saltley, in October.
He was yesterday charged with burglaries and remanded to appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday (1 January).
At Sladefield Road someone was also threatened with a bunsen burner, and the man has been further charged with threatening with an offensive weapon.
Dry riser valves are used by the fire service in the event of a fire at a tower block.