Copper Thief Admits to Stealing Metals in Solon and Other Cities

A Cleveland man faces 30 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 24 felony charges related to a string of copper thefts around Cuyahoga County — including locations in Solon.

James Dina, 34, was set to go to trial Tuesday, but instead, pleaded guilty to the charges in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

He is set to be sentenced April 6.

There were four cases related to the 24 charges — a total of 16 charges breaking and entering, five charges of theft and vandalism, all fifth-degree felonies; disrupting public service, a fourth-degree felony; and second-degree felony burglary.

Dina admitted to stealing copper downspouts from a number of churches in Lakewood. Ryan Miday, spokesman for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, said he also stole copper from sites in Solon and Cleveland.

The .

Lakewood Police Chief Timothy Malley said recently that he is proud of his department for its work on the case. He noted the work of the detectives leading the investigation, Pat Foye and Tom McLaughlin, who are both department veterans.

Malley said scrap yards are often required to obtain photo identification for those who sell scrap metal, including copper. "Unfortunately, there's a market for this commodity," he added.

Detectives followed up with several area scrap yards, before finding some luck at one in Cleveland, said Malley, adding that once Dina was identified a warrant was issued for his arrest.

"Developing those leads took a good piece of detective work," he said. "It led to cleaning up some of our thefts of copper gutters but (also helped) many of our neighboring communities."