Suspects Arrested in Portland Copper Wire Thefts That Disrupted Communication Services for Months
The Portland Police Bureau have arrested two people and cited a third, in connection with copper wire thefts amounting to more than $2 million that disrupted communication services and impacted local businesses.
The thefts have taken place across the city over the last six months.
Processing Plant Was Located in the 8600 Block of Skidmore Street
Following reports of the theft of overhead and underground telephone lines under cover of darkness, the PPB’s East Precinct Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) launched an investigation. Leads pinpointed a location in the 8600 block of Northeast Skidmore Street used as a processing site for stolen copper.
The areas from which the copper wires were stolen were Northeast 162nd Avenue and Northeast San Rafael Street, Northeast 102nd Avenue and Northeast Fremont Street, and Southeast 111th Avenue and Southeast Foster Road.
PPB collaborated with the Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT), Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), K9, North Precinct NRT, and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office to serve a search warrant at the suspected processing location on November 3. A search of the property revealed evidence of copper theft and metal processing, including the burning and stripping of insulation from copper wiring.
Arrested were Jeremy J. Pruitt (38) and Kimberly J. Poehler (39), who were charged with first-degree theft, first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree criminal conspiracy to commit theft, metal property offense, and the unlawful transportation of metal.
Justin Gilpatrick (40) was cited for metal property offense, the unlawful transportation of metal, and criminal conspiracy to commit a metal property offense.
This is an ongoing investigation, with additional charges pending.
Anyone with information should contact [email protected] and reference case number 25244858.