The Tucson Police Department Metal Theft Unit made three metal theft related arrests in two separate incidents.
At the beginning of March 2015 a vacant business in the 2400 block of North Swan Road was the target of substantial metal theft and criminal damage. Officers from Operations Division Midtown responded and noted several large air conditioning units were tampered with and material was removed. Approximately $75,000 to $100,000 in loss and damage occurred. Members from the Tucson Police Department Metal Theft Unit continued the investigation. Through the cooperation and relationship established with the local area recycling businesses, a suspect was identified. Further follow up was conducted and 44-year-old Scott Coates was arrested and booked into the Pima County Jail for Trafficking in Stolen Property.
Additional charges are pending and may be added at a later date.
Last week a business in the 800 block of East 47th Street was also the target of substantial metal theft and criminal damage. Officers from Operations Division South responded to a 911 caller reporting hearing footsteps and the use of power tools on an adjacent roof. The officers arrived on scene and located two adult males on the roof who were subsequently detained. The investigation showed the men were actively removing copper wire from the roof of the business without the owner’s permission. The damage and material loss is estimated around $10,000. The men have been identified as 45-year-old Scott Morgan and 44-year-old Devon Budreau. Both were arrested and booked into the Pima County Jail for Aggravated Criminal Damage, 3rd Degree Burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools.