Joint effort cracks copper thefts, burglary ring

Jeremy Cook

Richard Stewart

SANFORD, Maine – Sanford Police say they have broken up a copper theft ring responsible for well over a dozen burglaries of vacant homes throughout York and Cumberland counties as well as major thefts of copper from CMP substations in Sanford and Lebanon. Officials say some of the burglaries also occurred in New Hampshire.

Two Sanford men were charged on Wednesday in connection with the thefts: Jeremy Cook, 40, and Richard Stewart, 35.

Both men were charged with Class B Burglary and booked at York County Jail on $10,000 cash bail. They are being arraigned today in Biddeford District Court.

Investigators say they caught both men inside a vacant home in Springvale cutting out the copper piping on Wednesday. One of the two men attempted to run from the house once he realized it was surrounded by police, but ultimately gave up without a struggle. The other man came out of the house without incident and was arrested.  Investigators discovered copper piping already removed and piled up on a blanket in the basement, ready to be carried out.

Investigators said the arrests were the result of a long investigation that used resources of the Sanford Police Department, YCSO and Maine State Police to close the case.

“These arrests represent a very rewarding end to a lengthy investigation involving copper thefts which have affected countless vacant (and often foreclosed) homes in York County. Maine State Police, York County Sheriff’s Office and Sanford Police Department have all been affected by these burglaries, and it took a group effort to successfully catch those responsible,” and Sanford Police Det. Sgt. Matthew T. Jones.

Jones urged the public to be vigilant and aware of empty houses in their neighborhood and to not hesitate to call the police if they see something suspicious taking place in or around them.