Official: Thieves pilfering from Pontiac Silverdome

Mike Martindale / The Detroit News

Pontiac -- Somebody has been taking items from inside the shuttered Pontiac Silverdome.

Pontiac's Emergency Financial Manager Fred Leeb told The News Wednesday he has requested a police investigation into the unauthorized taking of property from inside the former home of the Detroit Lions and the Pistons, which is up for auction next week.

"There have been items removed without permission," said Leeb, who declined to elaborate on the specifics of what was taken other than their value was "not in the thousands of dollars."

"The structure, integrity and operation of the facility are not affected, but it is disturbing," said Leeb, who stressed the probe is being conducted in a business-like manner and should not affect the pending auction.

Leeb said the city-owned Silverdome is currently under 24-hour security and that both Pontiac police and the Michigan State Police have been asked to investigate. Those responsible will be prosecuted, he said.

The huge white-domed, 80,000-seat venue, which cost $55.7 million to build, became a white elephant when the Pistons moved up Interstate 75 to The Palace of Auburn Hills in 1988 and the Lions left for Ford Field in Detroit in 2002. It has cost $1.5 million a year for its upkeep

Those wishing to be considered serious bidders must submit sealed bids along with a $250,000 cashier's check to Williams & Williams, the Tulsa, Okla.-based auctioneer, through 4 p.m. Nov. 12., when the city -- at its discretion -- can declare the high bidder the winner and end the auction. All $250,000 cashier checks will be refunded.

mmartindale@detnews.com (248) 338-0319