(WICHITA, Kan.) — Wichita police say they captured a copper thief red-handed. According to the department's Twitter account, officers took part in a special assignment and caught the thief in the act.
The suspect was nabbed in the 8400 block of W. Central at a vacant building. Police aren't sure when the theft occured, likely between August 5 and 8. It was reported on the 8th.
Officers were investigating the area last night when someone pulled up in a car and started removing more copper wire from the business.
That man was arrested. Damage the facility is estimated at $50,000.
A second copper theft was also reported Monday afternoon from Hall industries in the 1200 block of E. Murdock. That wiring was recovered at a local metal recycling center.
The recycling center contacted police, which determined it was taken from Hall Industries.
No word on whether the two thefts are connected.
