Caught On Tape: Reward Offered In Copper Theft Case (With Video)

August 19, 2010

A $1,000 reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of a man caught on tape stealing copper from two Atmore businesses.

Surveillance video (see bottom of page) shows the thefts Sunday at both Alto Products Corp. and Audio Plus in Atmore. At both businesses, the thief made his getaway with copper wiring. The white male is believed to be in his mid-20’s to early 30’s. He fled in a white Oldsmobile Alero or a similar vehicle.

“I want to see this guy off the streets,” said James Helton, owner of Audio Plus.

Audio Plus and Alto Products have teamed up to offer a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the copper thief. Anyone with information about either theft is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.


Pictured: Surveillance video from a copper theft at Audio Plus in Atmore. Submitted for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

6 Responses to “Caught On Tape: Reward Offered In Copper Theft Case (With Video)”

  1. none on August 23rd, 2010 8:35 am

    he is probably from out of town…i have never even seen this car in our area….hope they catch the creep! He’s might brave to have doen this in the daytime anyway, doesn’t seem to care if he was seen. Hopefully someone will see this car and report it!

  2. David Huie Green on August 20th, 2010 6:42 pm

    I read many years back that everybody’s stride is as individual as a fingerprint but we don’t have any way to check it for this one that I know of. They were saying a small radar device could identify people walking down a hallway by their stride.

    That’s for the future.

    In the mean time, “The white male is believed to be in his mid-20’s to early 30’s. He fled in a white Oldsmobile Alero or a similar vehicle.”
    Compare that to the records of who all have such a car, starting closest to the crime and working outward (assuming people didn’t drive a hundred miles to steal what they could steal closer to home).

    By scale to known heights you can determine his height.

    Also compare those to arrest records for similar deeds since people tend to fall into habits along those lines.

    If that doesn’t do it, consider the potential suspects. In all likelihood some are too old to be likely candidates, some were at work or have gainful employment which makes them less likely to have risked it all for the little bit of money they get.

    While you’re at it, consider routes he may have taken on the way to and from the crime and any surveillance cameras along those routes. See if any similar cars were recorded during the time in question.

    You might also check to see how many on the list have sold copper to scrap metal dealers recently.

    I imagine those dealing with the crime have already done this, but it is interesting to ponder.

    David considering a problem of sets and patterns

  3. horrific on August 20th, 2010 10:44 am

    That right there is why this state like some other states should
    issue two license plates. If there at been a front plate this
    case would be over unless the car was stolen.

    I hope they get that creep

    Just sign me SICK TO DEATH OF CRIME!

    Dirty cops
    Dirty politicians
    Dirty Judges
    Dirty neighbors
    Dirty neighbors kids
    Dirty pedifiles
    What it wrong with ppl

  4. SONYA on August 19th, 2010 3:56 pm

    When these people vandalize and steal the copper lines from air conditioning equipment they are releasing all the freon from these systems into the atmosphere. Does anybody know if they are getting additionally charged by the EPA for releasing the freon.

  5. JUDY MASEK on August 19th, 2010 9:25 am

    im sure that this video will prove helpful…that guy seems to swing his arms in a fashion that reminds me of my military marching movements…..hhmm….so glad that the video camera was there (and working)

  6. lola on August 19th, 2010 8:53 am

    wow I dont know him but wish someone would come forward and say they know him. Mr james I am sorry this happened to you and your business. God bless and try to just wait it out