Two men charged with theft of copper

Suspected copper thieves apprehended after chase in Stafford

Date published: 8/28/2008

BY KEITH EPPS

Two men were arrested Tuesday following a pursuit that began after someone reported the theft of copper water lines, police said.

Stafford Sheriff's spokesman Bill Kennedy said Deputy Martin Stotts was responding to a Sturgeon Drive address in the Del Webb Community about 2:50 p.m. when he saw the suspects heading toward him.

According to police, a resident had reported seeing two men stealing copper water lines from a construction area on Sturgeon Drive. The caller gave a description of their vehicle and a license plate number, Kennedy said.

Stotts turned around and followed the vehicle, which sped up and ran several stop signs after the deputy turned on his flashing lights.

The suspects were driving about 50 mph in the residential area, Kennedy said, then got up to 80 mph on Celebrate Virginia Parkway.

Officers said the suspect's vehicle nearly struck two other vehicles as it headed toward U.S. 17 south. Meanwhile, a number of other deputies had converged on the area.

The suspects drove to a gravel lot on Powell Lane and jumped out of the vehicle, Kennedy said. Stotts chased down one suspect on foot, Kennedy said, while Sgt. David Stout ran down the other.

Both suspects were handcuffed and taken into custody. Numerous pieces of copper were found in their vehicle, authorities said.

Stanley Byrd, 43, and Calvin Johnson, 31, both of Caret, were both charged with grand larceny and felony vandalism.

Byrd was also charged with driving after having been declared a habitual offender, reckless driving and resisting arrest. Johnson was charged with being drunk in public.

Both men were placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond.

Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com

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Date published: 8/28/2008