Cops Nab Copper Thief Tied to School, Park Vandalism
Police say three were involved in a string of copper wire thefts across Anne Arundel County.
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Police have made an arrest in a string of copper wire thefts that caused $147,000 in damage to local schools and parks.
Michael Allen Dunlop, 27, of the 1900 block of Poplar Ridge Road in Pasadena, was charged with theft of under $10,000, burglary and destruction of property.
A second suspect, Dawn Marie Schofield, 41, of the 12400 block of Keynote Lane in Bowie, has been issued a criminal summons charging her with theft of under $10,000 and destruction of property. A third suspect died in November, according to a statement from Anne Arundel County police.
Police arrested Dunlop after tracking him from the theft of 300 feet of copper wire, which was reported stolen a few blocks from his residence in Pasadena. Police said the theft was similar in nature to several other copper wire thefts across Anne Arundel County, including parks and schools, dating back to June.
Copper wiring from athletic field lights was removed, making them inoperable. The damages to both school and parks has been estimated at $147,000.
In September, five men were arrested and charged with similar copper wire thefts at area schools.
Detectives are still putting together the pieces from the string of crimes, and have not completed their investigation, according to the release.
Anyone with additional information regarding the copper wire thefts is asked to contact Detective Ted Lemaster at 410-222-6145.
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