A large amount of stolen copper and other materials have been recovered after the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office arrested three men Jan. 18.
The suspects forced entry to the Dominion Virginia Power substation in York County sometime between Jan. 3 and Jan. 11 and stole copper wiring and other undisclosed items, according to a news release from the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office. In the course of the investigation, information was obtained that led the sheriff’s office to solving a number of break-ins to electric trucks in York County in December 2012.
Lt. Dennis Ivey of the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Department said the three men are not connected to a string of copper robberies in James City County. You can read about those burglaries here and here. The men tried to take the copper to metal recyclers who buy scrap metal.
Garry Dobbins, 50, and Christopher Galloway, 31, were charged with grand larceny, possession of burglarious tools, intentionally damaging a facility used to furnish electrical power and selling or distributing stolen property.
Mark Hermann, 48, was charged with two counts of grand larceny, possession of burglarious tools, intentionally damaging a facility used to furnish electrical power and selling or distributing stolen property. Authorities executed a search warrant on his residence where they recovered a large amount of stolen materials.
“I am very proud of the job that the YPSO investigators did on this case,” said Sheriff J.D. “Danny” Diggs. “These types of thefts can be very dangerous for the thieves, when dealing with electrical wire.”
Copper is currently about $3.65 per pound, according to Investmentmine, a website that tracks the price of precious materials. Copper prices have surged in recent years. The value was $1.50 per pound or less from 1989 to around 2005, when the price climbed to its current level, where it has remained other than a brief dip in 2009.
“Breaking into any of our facilities is not only dangerous, it’s illegal,” said Bonita Harris, a media relations manager for Dominion Power. “Our biggest concern is safety. Breaking in could result in electrocution or death. It’s a real safety concern not only to the person breaking in but to Dominion employees and customers. Our substations are high voltage live electrical equipment—the danger signs posted around them are there for a reason.”
