COPPER THEFTS: A an operation by the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office resulted in 19 arrests related to copper thefts. (Photo courtesy of Pulaski County Sheriff's Office)

A Pulaski County operation to address more than $1 million in copper thefts has resulted in the apprehension of 19 individuals with more charges expected, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s office said Wednesday. 

The operation nabbed the 19 individuals with the help of a variety of Arkansas law enforcement agencies and the New Hanover’s Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina. 

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The sheriff’s office said additional suspects are believed to be involved and more charges are expected. 

Utility companies such as AT&T and Brightspeed, formerly CenturyLink, have reported more than $1 million in copper thefts in the county, the sheriff’s office said. 

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From the sheriff’s office: 

For the past year, Pulaski County and surrounding areas have been plagued with  utility wire thefts. In the unincorporated areas of Pulaski County alone, there have been over  one million dollars in damages and thefts reported by the utility companies, primarily AT&T and  Brightspeed (formerly CenturyLink). These thefts caused service interruptions to citizens and  interfered with emergency communications as repairs were needed to restore service.  

PCSO Deputies were tasked with identifying suspects involved with these thefts. Nineteen  individuals were identified and evidence was collected against these individuals. Deputies,  drafted affidavits for each of these individuals and presented the affidavits to the Prosecutor  Attorney’s Office. On 03-29-2023, an arrest operation was conducted involving the nineteen  individuals identified in the investigation. The following individuals were taken into custody: Jesse Spann, Savanna Spann, Lauren King, David King, Bill Long, Phillip Nesler, Amber Gaskill,  Brad Lirette, Waymond Barnhart, and Zachary Baker. PCSO is currently searching for additional  individuals who are believed to be in the central Arkansas area. These individuals are Donnie  Butler, Christina White, Eric Thompson, James Justice, Richard Tomboli, Bryan Wickliffe, Gunner  Baine, David Crawford and Kaylee Sipe.  

There are additional suspects believed to be involved and further charges are expected.  

PCSO was assisted by Redfield Police Department, Arkansas State Police, Benton Police  Department, Rockport Police Department, Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas Probation  and Parole, and the New Hanover Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina. 

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