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Lee County Man Arrested for Copper Wire Theft

A Pennington Gap man has been arrested in connection with the theft of copper wire from a business in Duffield.

Jason Lee Cooper, 23, of Route 1, Box 431, Pennington Gap, was arrested Aug. 24 and charged with two counts of grand larceny after Scott County deputies observed the suspect taking copper wire they believed was stolen from the VFP, Inc. plant in the Duffield Industrial Park.

According to a news release from the Scott County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement set up surveillance at the location where a large amount of copper wire had been taken from the plant. In the early morning hours of Aug. 24, deputies saw Cooper arrive at the location and begin loading up the wire into his vehicle.

After Copper left the scene, he was stopped a short time later and officers discovered approximately 300 pounds of copper wire in the vehicle.

He was also found to be driving on a restricted license and was in possession of a Schedule III narcotic, marijuana, and four used syringes.


An additional 400 pounds of copper wire was found at another location in Pennington Gap based on information provided by Cooper.

Police estimate the value of the wire at more than $1,000.

Copper was charged with two felony grand larceny counts and four misdemeanors charges of possession of a controlled substance, trespassing, possession of marijuana after a previous conviction and driving on a restricted license.

If convicted, Cooper faces a prison term of one to 20 years on the felony charges and up to 12 months in jail and/or $2,500 fine on the other charges.
He was released on $3,000 secured bond and was arraigned last Thursday in Scott County General District Court.

 

 

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