RICHMOND — Two Richmond men were arrested earlier this week for allegedly stealing copper from utility poles.
Police arrested Jeffrey W. Nester, 46, of Fourth Street, and John H. Nester, 42, of Moberly Avenue, in connection with copper thefts.
Officers were dispatched at about 8 p.m. Monday to the 100 block of Fifth Street to investigate a report of two males stealing copper from the poles. Officers located the two Nesters on Norwood Drive and “noted that they fit the description provided of the suspects,” said Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
“The two men were in possession of two bags that contained strands of copper wiring consistent with that stolen from utility poles in the area,” he said. “They were also in possession of numerous tools, including a hammer and bolt cutters.”
The two had been cutting ground wires, not climbing utility poles, Brock said.
Six poles were damaged, he said, and the copper taken was valued at about $60. The thefts caused about $600 in damage.
Both men were charged with second-degree criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking and possession of burglary tools.
Jeffrey Nester also was charged in connection with the Saturday copper theft from utility poles in the area of East Walnut Street, Brock said.
Police discovered him in the area near a bag containing 32 pieces of copper wiring that appeared to have been taken from poles in the area, the chief said.
In the Saturday incident, 32 poles were damaged, and the value of copper retrieved was about $320, Brock said. The damage was estimated at $3,200.
Jeffrey Nester was charged with first-degree criminal mischief and theft by unlawful taking.
An indictment warrant also was served on John Nester, charging him for first-degree burglary, receiving stolen property under $10,000, and being a first-degree persistent felony offender.
Copper thefts from utility poles “ebb and flow” with the price of scrap metals, according to Cliff Feltham, spokesperson for Kentucky Utilities.
Copper prices are high right now, and KU has seen a resurgence in an attempts to steal the metal from poles, he said.
Besides the threat of arrest, taking copper from utilities poles can carry a whole new danger: death, he said.
“People who attempt to steal copper from our live systems are placing themselves in ultimate jeopardy,” he said.
Utility workers are trained to climb the poles and wear protective clothing. Oftentimes, copper thieves are not, he said.
Compared to the amount of money one can receive for stolen copper, the risk does not make sense, Feltham said.
“You’re putting yourself at the ultimate risk, death, for what? Sixty dollars worth of copper?” He asked.
John Nester remains in the Madison County Detention Center in lieu of a $7,500 bond. Jeffrey Nester was released on a $1,000 bond.
Forgery arrest
An Isaac Drive woman was arrested for allegedly passing stolen and forged checks.
Jerri R. Lakes, 24, is charged with second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.
On Jan. 18, a resident in the 300 block of S. Third Street reported to police that her checkbook was stolen from her home sometime after Jan. 1.
“The victim further reported that a number of the stolen checks had been forged and cashed at Richmond area stores,” Brock said. “Lakes was developed as a suspect after it was determined that she had visited the residence during the time period of the theft.”
Police claim Lakes passed one of the stolen checks at Walmart on Jan. 6 in the amount of $155.75 and passed a second stolen check at Walmart the following day in the amount of $280.
She was taken into custody Wednesday at her home and was lodged in the detention center. Lakes was released later that day.
Thefts
A representative of John Devere Builders told police Wednesday that heat pumps had been stolen from the rear of a duplex owned by the builder in the 2000 block of Ty Lane during the overnight hours. The two units were both Trane two-ton units, and the estimated loss was $3,000.
The pastor of Mt. Zion Church, N. Estill Avenue, reported Monday that the external air conditioning unit located to the rear of the church had been stolen sometime during the previous two days. The unit was described as an Inter-City Products brand, and the estimated loss was $500.
Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Richmond Police Department at 623-1162.
Lorie Love Hailey can be reached at editor@richmondregister.com or 624-6690.
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