SUNBEAM — A farmer nearly ready to reopen his chicken houses after having them out of commission for two years has suffered a major setback as a result of vandals and thieves.

Southampton sheriff’s deputies are searching for the parties responsible for vandalizing three chicken houses owned by Raymond Drake on Route 671, near Sunbeam Road.

Drake had been renovating the buildings and had expected to stock them soon.

“He was very close to reopening,” said Detective Cpl. Richard Morris, public information officer for the Southampton Sheriff’s Department, who reckoned that the damage was done within the past two and a half weeks.

Morris estimated that more than $50,000 of damage had been done by thieves who stole all of the copper and much of the aluminum out of the buildings.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office at 653-2100 or Southampton County CrimesSolvers at 653-2900.

A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those persons responsible. CrimeSolvers callers can remain anonymous and do not have to appear in court.