Police Have Suspect in Yet Another Copper Theft

Two copper gutter downspouts, valued at $200, were taken from a Sturges Ridge Road residence on March 25. Police said the homeowners’ neighbor observed a white male, dressed in dark clothing and wearing a ball cap remove the downspouts and get into a gray or silver minivan.

“We’re pursuing someone who is a suspect in that,” Lt. Don Wakeman said. “We’re hoping to get some additional information on that person. We’re hoping we can make an arrest.”

There have been many incidents lately of residents reporting thefts of copper downspouts from their residences, as well as workers reporting the theft of copper wire from construction sites. Wakeman said Wilton is not unique to these types of incidents.

“There are a number of people who are committing these crimes,” Wakeman said. “To say it would be the same person—I can’t really say that. You’ve got some people who drive around all day and they look at houses, look for copper gutters, and come back and steal those. Then there are people out at night who go to places under construction in the off-hours, stealing wiring or piping.”

“This type of theft has just grown immensely,” he said.

Wakeman said its possible that this particular suspect, if found guilty of stealing these downspouts, could have committed similar crimes in the area.