News

Actions

Copper thieves caught red-handed, arrested

Posted at 2:05 PM, May 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-30 16:08:42-04

SALT LAKE CITY -- Two suspects are in custody after surveillance video showed the men stealing copper wire from a hydroelectric plant in Little Cottonwood Canyon Monday morning.

Police said copper thieves have hit the plant several times in the past few weeks.

A camera was set up near the plant monitoring the copper wire after police said they believe the suspects were cutting the wire at night and retrieving it in the morning.

Detective Ken Hansen said the two suspects, Brent Pinney and Robert P. McKevitt, are prior convicted felons.

Hansen said at least one of the men was armed with a handgun and was found with drug paraphernalia.

The suspects have been booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on weapon and theft charges.

Det. Hansen said copper wire is appealing to suspected thieves because it's easy to steal and easy to sell.

Police said more suspects may be involved and more arrests could happen in the future.