Pinal County Copper Wire Task Force continues investigation

Between August of 2005 and February 2006, a period of six months, over 77 copper thefts reports were taken by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Casa Grande, Eloy, and Coolidge Police Departments, amounting to over $100,000 in copper theft(s) and resulting damage(s). Local farmers reported being extremely frustrated with the monetary loss, the interruption to their farming, repair and replacement costs.

Based on the alarming number of copper thefts and property damage reports from farmers and utility companies, in February, 2006, Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vasquez, after meeting with several of these farmers and representatives from the utility companies, formulated a Copper Wire Theft Task Force (CWTF), which consisted of nine Pinal County Sheriff’s office members, specifically formed to investigate the reported incidents.

During a thirty-day period, four individuals, Clinton Ford, 40, Raymond Skinner, 39, Jason Taylor, 27, of Coolidge and Kevin Casey, 35, of Queen Creek were taken into custody on criminal damage and theft charges, as evidence was recovered at their place of residence during the execution of individual search warrants. In addition to these individuals, the owner of a local Coolidge salvage yard is also facing pending criminal charges.

The evidence recovered during the execution of individual search warrants included strands of large gauge electrical copper wire and tubing which had a combined weight of 2.5 tons. The same recovered copper was estimated to have a $5,000 street value. Additionally, large containers, containing a significant amount of wire insulation and equipment used to aid the persons involved in their criminal acts, were also recovered. Three vehicles, which were used in the commission of the crimes, and approximately $3,400 in U.S. currency were seized, pending forfeiture.

During interviews with the persons involved, they admitted being responsible for damaging a minimum of 10 irrigation pumps in the areas of Coolidge and Casa Grande. The damages occurred while the suspects in question stole whatever copper wire they could see near or attached to the pumps, thus causing the irrigation pumps to become inoperable. Furthermore, information was related to detectives that the stolen copper was and is being sold as scrap, for monetary profit, at local salvage yards. This investigation is far from over; therefore, further investigation and or arrests are expected.