Woodbridge, Lake Ridge Residents Charged in MD Copper Thefts

Montgomery County Police in Maryland arrested six local suspects Friday in alleged copper thefts.

Undercover officers received information from a Verizon representative that unknown subjects were stealing heavy-duty copper wire along Connecticut Avenue. 

Police said on Feb. 23 at 10:40 p.m. in the area of Connecticut Avenue in Montgomery County, officers were conducting surveillance because of recent thefts when they saw several subjects operating a bucket truck. 

Allegedly, Montgomery County Police said officers saw subjects cutting down large sections of copper wire from between telephone poles and placing the wires in the bed of a pick-up truck.

“Representatives from Verizon were contacted and told police that no work was authorized at the location from which the wire was being removed,” said Montgomery County Police in a press release. 

Montgomery County Police arrested three Woodbridge residents, two Lake Ridge men and a Stafford County man in the alleged copper thefts.

From Woodbridge:

• Jose R. Chavez, 43 and Jose R. Chavez, 19, of the 1900 block of Old Post Terrace
• Omar A. Hidalgo, 19, of the 1300 block of Redbud Court

From Lake Ridge:

• Jose R. Chavez-Mendoza, 59, and Romulo O. Barrera, 37, of the 2100 block of Old Ironside Court

From Stafford:

• Carlos Chavez-Ponce, 27, of the unit block of Stevens Circle

“The suspects were charged with various counts of theft to include theft scheme $1,000 to under $10,000, theft over $10,000 to under $100,000, conspiracy to commit theft over $10,000 to under $100,000, and malicious destruction of property over $500,” said the press release. “All of the suspects were released on their own recognizance. Future court date information is unavailable at this time.” 

According to Verizon representatives, over 1800 feet of copper wire was recovered by police with a value of approximately $31,500.

For questions about this blotter, email [laurenj@patch.com].