A Nebraska traffic stop uncovered more than $250,000 in stolen copper inside a semi-truck on October 7. Lancaster County’s Criminal Interdiction Unit stopped the vehicle around 2 p.m. on Interstate 80. Deputies saw the trailer leaning heavily after the load shifted toward the passenger side. The driver could not provide vehicle registration, a bill of lading or basic freight details.
Authorities identified the driver as 22-year-old Raman Pal of Tracy, California. Pal could not explain what he hauled, where pickup occurred or the destination. Deputies received consent to search the truck and trailer. Inside, they found 11 pallets of copper wire weighing 43,937 pounds and two bolt cutters.
Copper load had passed Iowa destination
Deputies found a bill of lading during the vehicle search. It listed Imperial Metal Group in Chicago as the pickup location. Court records identify Imperial Metal Group as the owner of the stolen copper. Lakeside Auto Recyclers, a Carter Lake, Iowa, recycling company, was the listed destination.
Investigators stopped Pal near Lincoln after the truck had already passed Carter Lake. Lakeside Auto Recyclers confirmed the vehicle was off route while traveling westbound. The affidavit does not explain why Pal continued beyond the listed destination…