During a press conference held today Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott puts another huge dent in the epidemic of copper thefts in the State. Sheriff Lott stated this has been a particularly difficult crime to solve with so many of the sources of copper theft left unprotected from criminals—Sheriff Lott has created a special unit within the Sheriff’s Department dedicated solely to investigating and arresting copper thieves. Today Sheriff Lott announced the arrests of Isaac Tucker (DOB: 10/26/89) arrested for Larceny, Carwin Pettis Jr. (DOB: 02/14/87) arrested for Unlawful Transportation, and Jerry Preston Wider (DOB: 10/05/79) arrested Unlawful Transportation. On November 19, 2010 Tucker stole and destroyed items of value from 1716 Caroline Road, Columbia, SC. The victim states that a central heating and air condensing unit had copper stolen from it damaging the unit causing $1500.00 in damages. Richland County Investigators were able to collect DNA left at the scene on the condensing unit which led them to Tucker. Tucker has been released on a PR bond. On April 18, 2011 at 10:30 AM at 1009 Fontaine Road, Columbia, SC Richland County Sheriff’s Department Investigators were there to examine stolen copper when Wider fled the business into a wooded area across the street. Wider left his vehicle in the parking lot of the business--it was towed to the Richland County Compound. The Richland County Fugitive Task Force was able to locate and arrest Wider at his home without incident. Wider’s bond has been set at $21,390.00 On April 24, 2011 on Two Notch Road and also Mason Road, Pettis stole AC/copper and is responsible for selling over 7,454 pounds of copper since January 1, 2011. Pettis stole copper around North Main, Fairfield Road, and in the Monticello Road areas. Tucker has admitted to gutting 15 air conditioning units for copper with 5 belonging to the Elm Tree/Georgetown Apartments between the period of November and December 2010, the additional locations were along Sunview Drive and South East Community Church. Wider a career criminal was recently arrested for burglary, DUS, larceny, and possession of marijuana--admitted to 6 in the Northeast area. These arrests account for 26 copper thefts in Richland County with more pending. Copper theft has been on the rise throughout South Carolina. In Richland County there were 387 reported cases of copper and air conditioning thefts in 2008; in 2010 there were 536 reported cases of copper and air conditioning thefts; and in 2011 year to date there are 168 reported cases of copper and air conditioning thefts. As long as demand and prices remain high it will be a problem we will have to deal with. This is why it is very important to take steps to safe guard your property as best you can from thieves who leap at every opportunity. Sheriff Lott states some of the ways that we can help remove the opportunity is to:
This also aids in identifying materials if they’re stolen and turn up later. Remember, let’s all do what we can to remove the “opportunity”. Sheriff Lott is asking all citizens to help stop the growing problem of copper theft. Churches, businesses, and citizens are all being affected. The Sheriff added that we can continue to solve this problem by locating those who commit these crimes and for citizens to be our extra eyes and ears to capturing others who may be contributing to this issue. Sheriff Lott is asking for assistance in locating anyone wanted in connection for committing any crime--anyone with information about this incident should call, email or text your anonymous tip to: Crimestoppers at 1-888-crimesc, or text “TIPSC plus your message” to CRIMES (274637).
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