Stolen copper wire retrieved from homeless encampment
State law enforcement officers have seized a substantial amount of stripped copper wire from a homeless encampment at Ke’ehi Lagoon.
Department of Land and Natrual Resources spokeswoman Deborah Ward said investigators are not disclosing the amount of copper wire seized pending further investigation, including a determination of the owner of the copper wire.
The seizure was made by officers from the state Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement at about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Officers noticed a man and woman near a parked car in the Sand Island State Recreation Area and apparently in possession of stripped copper wire, the department said.
The man fled and the woman left in the vehicle and was eventually stopped and issued citations for various traffic offenses, then released.
More enforcement officers were called along with Honolulu police to Sand Island State Park and nearby areas to look for the man.
The department said a suspect matching the description of the man was found near a former paintball field near Nimitz Highway.
He was released, pending further investigation.
The department said as it canvassed the homeless camp, officers found a substantial amount of copper wire.
Victims of copper wire thefts on Oahu can call 624-DLNR for more information on the case.
10 responses to “Stolen copper wire retrieved from homeless encampment”
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Why doesn’t the legislature just make the purchase of used copper illegal?
Copper wire dealers are really good palm greasers?
Some copper recycling places does not buy from these type of people. I know cuz I was there one day & a homeless person wanted to sell some copper, he told the guy to get lost cuz he wouldn’t buy anything from him.
The Copper caper.
Sounds like someone copped his copper clappers.
This article is so poorly written that it’s hard to imagine how it could’ve happened. It’s a “staff” piece, so there’s no one to blame. Did anyone on the staff actually read this before publishing?
Yep – their interns LOL. Shame on me for paying to read such trash.
No, the janitor.
they can’t be charged because they didn’t get caught in the act of taking the copper..waste of time..go after the recyclers who take the stolen copper..until then they will continue to steal
Why didn’t they detain the woman for further questioning?