GREENVILLE, Miss. — Greenville police arrested three men late Tuesday in connection with an ongoing copper theft ring after responding to reports of suspicious activity in a neighborhood off Robertshaw Road.
Officers were dispatched around 11:42 p.m. to the 100 block of Robertshaw for a report of possible copper wire theft. Neighbors told police they heard noises resembling a saw coming from the area. When officers arrived, they found freshly cut wiring from a utility pole near Washington and Robertshaw streets.
While patrolling the area, officers spotted a dark-colored SUV matching the description of a suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Police said they found three people inside along with a pole saw, bolt cutters, a skill saw and other tools commonly used to cut copper wiring.
The suspects were identified as Leslie Fortenberry, 41, of Greenville; and Brant McCoy, 51, and Joshua Colyer, 47, both of Indianola. All three were charged with felony malicious mischief and felony possession of burglary tools.
The suspects are being held at the Washington County Regional Correctional Facility pending their initial court appearances.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
