PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two people were arrested Monday after causing over $2 million in damages in copper thefts across the city, officials said.
Portland police said that over the last six months, there has been a rise in copper thefts around the city, which have led to disrupted communication services and have impacted local businesses and emergency response systems.
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After receiving numerous reports of overhead and underground wires being cut and removed at night across Northeast and Southeast Portland, police said they began an investigation leading them to a location on Northeast Skidmore Street, where they believed stolen copper was being processed.
On Monday, authorities said they served a warrant at the location, which led to extensive evidence of copper theft and metal processing, including the burning and stripping of insulation from copper wire.
Jeremy Pruitt, 38, and Kimberly Poehler, 39, were both taken into custody for first-degree theft, first-degree criminal mischief, criminal conspiracy, metal property offense and unlawful transportation of metal…