A 29-year-old Festus-area man was arrested Oct. 4, three days after he allegedly tried to steal copper but was interrupted by a Crystal City Police officer. The suspect allegedly ran from the officer just after midnight on Oct. 1 but was found later and arrested for alleged property damage, Police Chief Chad Helms reported.
The officer who first encountered the suspect was on patrol and noticed “a suspicious vehicle parked near the tree line behind a business in the 1400 block of U.S. Hwy. 61,” Helms said.
As the officer pulled closer to the 2006 Dodge Caravan, she observed a man “wearing a black and yellow hoodie who appeared to be attempting to remove the cover from a copper wiring box,” Helms said.
The officer confronted the man but he ran away. Uncertain about the number of people who might be involved in the theft, the officer did not chase him but waited for backup, Helms said.
After another officer arrived on the scene, they searched the area, but could not find the suspect. After officers investigated the scene, they determined the subject was attempting to steal copper wire from a utility pole and a utility box near the business, Helms said.
“There was no copper wire found to be missing; I believe this is because our officer interrupted the crime in progress,” Helms said. “There was, however, property damage sustained to the utility pole and box.”
The suspect’s vehicle was seized at the scene. Later, detectives determined the identity of the suspect, and he was taken into custody.
“We will be seeking a charge of felony property damage through the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office,” Helms said.