News Release: Copper Thefts in Richland County and Community Partnerships
- Deputy Jamie Burton
- Aug 4
- 2 min read
08/04/26
Today, August 4th, is National Night Out. National Night Out is a nation-wide event promoting police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Tonight, there will be dozens of neighborhoods celebrating National Night Out right here in Richland County.
Sheriff Leon Lott discusses the increase of copper thefts in the Midlands and how the community can help. In the Midlands, AT&T alone has been the victim of 105 copper thefts year-to-date. Since October 2025, there have been 60 incidents of copper theft just in Richland County.
Thieves cut cables, heavily damaging communication infrastructure in the process. Criminals then sell the stolen copper to scrap metal dealers and recyclers. RCSD is working with several local law enforcement partners to investigate these crimes.
RCSD arrested Michael McCraw (58) on June 24, 2026. He was charged with Obtaining Money under False Pretenses in reference to selling stolen copper. Investigators estimate McCraw has made nearly $38,000 selling burned communication line copper.
These incidents are still under investigation. RCSD is pursuing several other people of interest.
William Morgan (DOB: 7/31/73) and Charley Zorn (DOB: 5/12/03) were arrested July 25, 2026, by Columbia Police Department after patrol officers received a suspicious persons call from a community member. Both are charged with Unlawful Sale of Nonferrous Metals, Possession of Burglary Tools, Petit Larceny $2,000 or less, Criminal Conspiracy, and Theft of Electric Current.
“These thieves are chasing a quick payday while leaving neighborhoods without phone service, businesses offline, and emergency communications at risk,” says Sheriff Lott, “we will continue to find every person responsible and make sure they face the consequences. The public plays a critical role in helping us do that.”
Community members can help by reporting suspicious activity near poles, manholes, cell sites, utility easements, or construction areas. Utility workers should have marked vehicles, credentials, or valid work orders, and no one should be in these areas after sunset. RCSD asks community members to also report signs of stolen copper such as damaged or vandalized communication infrastructure, burn pits, piles of outer cable sheath, or dumped cable.
Scrap metal dealers and recyclers should also be on-the-lookout for red flags like sellers offering unusually large quantities of copper or cable, burned/melted/stripped/de-sheathed copper, and copper that appears to contain twisted, color-coded telecommunications pairs rather than ordinary household wiring.
If you see suspicious behavior, call 911, the Columbia-Richland non-emergency number at (803) 252-2911, or submit a tip anonymously to CrimeStoppers at 1(888) CRIME-SC.
