Two charged with copper thefts in area
By From staff reports
Published in News on January 7, 2011 1:46 PM
Anthony Tyrell Gay
Jessie Octavius Edwards
The arrests of two Ayden men have helped partially clear one case of copper theft even as Wayne County sheriff's deputies begin the investigation of two new cases -- both involving thefts from power substations.
Anthony Tyrell Gay, 34, and Jessie Octavius Edwards, 22, have been charged with felony breaking and entering of a building, felony larceny, felony possession of stolen property and felony breaking and entering to a motor vehicle in connection with a Dec. 27 break-in that occurred at Tidewater Energy on North William Street.
The investigation is continuing in this case and other cases related to large amounts of copper and other metals being stolen and sold here in Wayne and Pitt counties, deputies said.
Some property has been recovered and more charges are pending on these suspects and other suspects involved in these cases and more suspects are being sought at this time, deputies said.
More than 600 feet of copper wiring valued at more than $1,600 were taken in the break-ins this week at two different power substations.
In both cases, access was gained by cutting through chain-link fences.
Tri-County Electric Membership Corp. officials reported a break-in at a substation at the intersection of Ebenezer Church Road and Braswell Road. The thief or thieves took 300 feet of copper wiring valued at $600. Damages totaled $175 to the fence.
The second break-in and theft was at the Progress Energy substation on North William Street. Taken were 345 feet of copper wiring valued at $1,355. Damages totaled $610 to the fence.