Copper wire heist? Raleigh workers arrested over 1000 pounds stolen

A demolition site in Raleigh appears to have something more than rubble, after police accused a group of workers of helping themselves to a small fortune in copper wiring.

According to case warrants, a Wendell man was arrested this week in connection with the theft of more than 1,000 pounds of copper from the former state DMV headquarters on New Bern Avenue, WRAL reports.

The arrests come after the incidents on August 29 and September 2, when the valuable wiring allegedly vanished from the site.

Police say Quavon Gilmore was taken into custody on Thursday. Three other men including Elijah Walker, Michael Moore and Willie Jacobs also face charges. 

All four were employees of the same demolition company, working on the site at the time.

Investigators allege the copper was meant for demolition work but was instead sold on. Warrants claim the group resold the wiring to Foss Recycling on Garner Road for more than $1,200. The price tag, police suggest, explains the temptation.

Copper prices have climbed sharply in recent years, turning construction sites into unlikely treasure spots for thieves with access and opportunity.