Copper Thieves Arrested Near Will Rogers Middle School

Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies responded to Will Rogers Middle School regarding a copper theft in progress shortly after 2:30 a.m. Thursday.

When an automated call went out to the Sheriff's department triggered by an alarm installed inside an on-campus cellular tower, deputies were sent out to investigate.

"A celluar phone tower on the property at Will Rogers Middle School, when accessed, sets out an alarm that basically says a copper theft is in progress," Ramos said. "We got that alarm call shortly after 2:30 a.m."

Officers then went toward the school where they found two bicycles and a couple of backpacks near a fence.

"They figured they had a couple people around the campus who shouldn't be there at that time of night, obviously," Ramos said.

Officers found a man and a woman walking away on Heathcliff Drive in Carmichael - about one mile away from the middle school.

Deputies then detained Steven Dickson, 29, and Denise Anderson, 45, after they were found in possession of a tools that deputies believe were used to break into the tower.

"The woman had a crowbar in her possession and the investigation showed that the tower had been broken open," Ramos said.

Dickson and Anderson were arrested and booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on charges of grand theft.

Anderson was also charged with possession of burglary tools because she had the crowbar, Ramos said.

Ramos explained the trend of these types of burglaries is nothing new for the area, either. 

Because of the price of copper, theft of the metal has become a popular target.

"Schools are big targets, businesses, strip malls, anything with air conditioning units - copper theft is off the charts right now," Ramos said.

Recycler businesses that purchase copper through private parties are typically required to document all transactions and keep records of those people who are selling it, Ramos said.

"We do periodic compliance checks with recycler businesses because there are certain things recycler businesses are supposed to be doing," Ramos said. "When people bring in copper to recycle it, they (recyclers) are supposed to be documenting information."