SE OKC alleged copper thieves caught in action
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oklahoma City Police say two people are facing felony charges, accused of attempting to steal copper from an industrial site.
Police say the incident happened June 6 at a site near Southeast 59th Street and Sunnylane Road.
Court documents say a manager for the company who owns the property saw the suspects on the property and called police.
"Learned that they had rummaged through some electrical motors that were there on the property and taken some copper wire from inside," said Sergeant Dillon Quirk with the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Suspects Marcus Evans and Devyn Grisby were arrested on complaints of entering the property with intent to steal the copper.
The motor the copper was taken from is estimated to cost $25,000, but police say the copper can be just as valuable.
"It can be worth several thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars at times," said Quirk.
Court documents further detail that officers say they found a duffle bag near a line of trees that the suspects were spotted by. The duffle bag contained a phone, saw and the stolen copper wire.
Police say it's always a good idea for Oklahomans to make sure they're keeping an eye on their valuables.
"Have cameras on-site," said Quirk. "Lighting helps."
Police also say nothing beats staying vigilant yourself and if you see something report it to authorities.
"These two were spotted by a witness in the area who was able to direct police to give the proper description of who they were and they were able to catch them there," said Quirk.
Evans and Grisby are sitting in the Oklahoma County Jail on $3,000 bonds.
Stealing copper is a felony in Oklahoma. If Evans and Grisby are convicted, they face jail time and a fine.