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Two Arrested in Copper Theft From Army Corps

Rogers police arrested two men Monday in connection with large-scale copper theft from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Mickey Earl Huffard, 34, of Gravette an...
copper

Rogers police arrested two men Monday in connection with large-scale copper theft from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Mickey Earl Huffard, 34, of Gravette and Justin Eugene Phillips, 24, of Rogers were found with a large amount of stolen copper wire in the back of their pickup, according to the Rogers Police Department.

“They were bragging about stealing copper,” Rogers police spokesman Keith Foster said. “Someone overheard them, and we got it as a tip, as an anonymous tip.”

Foster said copper theft is a common problem because of the raw value of the material. As a recyclable, it brings a good price, about $3 a pound, he said. It’s been a common problem in Northwest Arkansas and across the nation.

“Copper is the metal that keeps the country going,” Foster said. “It’s [used in] all our electricity, it’s half our plumbing, our computers, all our wiring; I mean, it’s out there.”

The pair faces charges of felony theft of property, felony breaking and entering and misdemeanor criminal mischief. They are free on bond.

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