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Lathrop Police finds copper theft suspect sleeping in his vehicle
Lathrop copper theft
Lathrop police K9 Jackie recently helped out during the arrest of a suspect who allegedly was involved in a copper theft. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

California’s AB 476 was just enacted into law in October.

For local law enforcement, this strengthens the penalties against copper and metal theft, targeting organized theft rings and illegal junk dealers with increased fines.

The City of Lathrop Police Department announced earlier this week the arrest of a suspect for an alleged copper theft.

Police officers, detectives, and the K9 Unit found the suspect asleep in his vehicle. He was wanted in connection with multiple thefts, according to investigators.

During the arrest, the K9, Jackie, alerted officers to suspected methamphetamines inside the vehicle.

The suspect was arrested and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on charges of the copper thefts, possession of narcotics, and possession of stolen property.

Lathrop police noted that the rise in copper thefts at new construction sites over the past month. Included was reports of wiring stripped from homes, lake infrastructure, and storage areas, etc., as being targeted.