Copper Thieves Busted

Two men were arrested after being caught stealing cooper from several businesses late last week, according to an official Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department press release.

Casey Solano and John Whitlock

John Whitlock, 30, and Casey Solano, 24, were both reportedly booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail for various felonies and are being held on $20,000 bail. Whitlock is charged with grand theft of copper material, criminal conspiracy and a violation of probation, while Solano incurred the same charges, as well as possession of stolen property and possession of burglary tools.

At approximately 4am on Friday, February 22, 2013, Rancho Cordova police officers responded to the 9900 block of Horn Road, after a security guard called regarding two men on the roof of a business. Upon officers’ arrival, the two suspects – later identified as Whitlock and Solano – ran from officers in attempt to flee the scene. They were reportedly both detained in the area, and officers recovered at least one bag containing copper materials, as well as tools believed to have been used during the theft.

Solano and Whitlock were mining for copper on buildings in this Rancho Cordova business park

Further investigation by officers discovered that the rooftop air conditioning units of numerous businesses at the location had been tampered with. One business owner who arrived at the scene estimated tens of thousands of dollars in damage to the A/C units.

Read More:

Sacramento Bee: Two men accused of stealing copper from Rancho Cordova businesses

CBS Sacramento: Suspected Copper Thieves Arrested Early Friday Morning In Rancho Cordova