Crime & Safety

Copper Thefts Continue

A Ball Ground man attempts to steal copper from vacant building on Woodstock Parkway, police say.

Another man was arrested for attempting to steal copper after a Woodstock officer caught a Ball Ground man disassembling an air conditioning unit at a vacant building on April Fools’ Day.

Wichita Pruitt, 32, was arrested and charged with felony theft by taking, obstruction of a law enforcement officer and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

Officer L. Mendez was patrolling the area when he saw Pruitt at 980 Woodstock Pkwy., a professional building currently up for lease. Mendez attempted to make contact with Pruitt, but chased Pruitt when he fled on foot through the woods, said Brittany Duncan, spokeswoman for the .

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After a perimeter was set up, Officer J. Cash and K-9 Debo located Pruitt’s book bag, and Officer C. Berry and K-9 Atticus located Pruitt’s vehicle.

He returned to his vehicle Saturday at approximately 1:40 p.m. where he was arrested and transported to Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.

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“The theft of copper from air conditioning units and from within unoccupied buildings has become a major problem of concern for area law enforcement agencies,” Duncan said. “Pruitt’s arrest is being investigated to determine his involvement in other similar theft cases in the area.”


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