GARLAND — Copper theft is occurring all over North Texas.
A suspected thief, who police said was dressed as a utility worker, has been arrested in Garland.
Garland City Councilwoman Carissa Dutton said it couldn’t have happened without the help of a Good Samaritan.
Last Friday, around 8 p.m., a resident noticed a man lurking near one of the city’s water towers off Lawler Road and called Dutton.
“She said, ‘He’s got a construction vest on and a hard hat, but he’s smoking a cigarette, and I don’t see a work truck,'” Dutton said. “As she continued walking, she noticed the fence was cut.”
The woman sent Dutton a photo of a black duffel bag he was carrying.
“Then it was like that lightbulb moment I was like, ‘Oh, he’s stealing copper,'” she said. “I was like, ‘Hang up the phone with me right now and call 911.'”
Moments later, Garland police arrived.
“He was still in the building that he was seen going into,” officer Matt Pesta said.