STS BBNJ 08805 & VICINITY FORUM - - NOW 12 YEARS ONLINE 2008-2020

CENTRAL JERSEY — Copper theft is a crime that has been growing in frequency across the country for years, and experts point out that it is notoriously difficult to stop.

But police in two Central Jersey towns hit the jackpot during recent weeks, making a total of three arrests and recovering more than $55,000 worth of the semi-precious metal that had been torn away from existing structures.

Peter M. Vega Jr., 20, of Bridgewater, Francis Griglio II, 20, of Raritan Borough and Steven Williams, 44, of Plainfield all were arrested and charged in the cases, authorities said.

Raritan Borough police first responded to a report of suspicious activity at an Anderson Street address on Sept. 14, gaining permission from the rental property’s owner to search the premises and subsequently uncovering a large amount of copper telecommunications wire in a basement, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

While at the scene, officers received additional information that a tenant residing at the property might have been responsible for placing the wire there, authorities said.

Link: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110928/NJNEWS/309280027/?odyssey=obinsite