TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

3-Month Probe Of Polk Copper Thefts Led To 2 Arrests

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 10, 2008

TAMPA - A three-month investigation into a southeast Polk County copper wire theft trend led to the arrest of two brothers from Kissimmee, deputies announced today.

The brothers, Aaron T. Carter and Ronald M. Moore II, were involved in 25 separate theft cases in the Poinciana area, deputies say.

"Our deputies did an exceptional job in identifying the trend, locating the suspects and putting them in jail," Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news release.

Carter, 34, and Moore, 29, were arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail on May 28.

"The suspects had quite a business going for themselves," Judd said. "They would steal air conditioners, sell the coils and copper wire, buy things for themselves, and pay outstanding probation costs. They were literally robbing Peter to pay Paul."

According to the release:

The brothers stole air conditioning units, taking the coils and copper wiring to Polk County recycling centers so they could get cash.

Carter faces 25 counts of theft, 17 counts of dealing in stolen property, 15 counts of fraud/giving false information to a scrap metal dealer and one count of grand theft.

Moore faces seven counts of theft, four counts of dealing in stolen property, four counts of fraud/giving false information to a scrap metal dealer and two counts of violating probation.

More charges are expected, deputies say.

Carter and Moore remained in jail today. Carter's bail was set at $130,000, and Moore's bail was set at $55,000.

Reporter Billy Townsend contributed to this report. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT