Police Arrest Two in Copper Theft and Sale Operation

Prince George’s County, Maryland…The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Special Enforcement Divison has arrested James Anthony Price, 44 of the 40700 block of Kings Drive in Mechanicsville, Maryland and Anthony Joseph Tate, 37, of the 4700 block of Brookfield Drive in Suitland, Maryland in connection with theft and sale of over $70,000 worth of copper stolen from Pepco on various dates.

James Price and Anthony Tate were arrested on July 19, 2011 and charged with theft and theft scheme. Price and Tate have been remanded to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections on a $25,000 and $10,000 bond.

After realizing that thousands of dollars worth of copper wiring had been stolen, Pepco notified authorities who began an investigation. Through their investigation, detectives learned that Price and Tate were employees of the Rockingham Construction Company which are contracted by Pepco to complete underground wiring at multiple sites. Investigations revealed that after a working day had been completed, Price and Tate would transfer stolen copper wiring from a contract vehicle to a personal vehicle and in turn sell the stolen copper wires to a recycling company.

Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Special Enforcement Division at (301) 985-3508. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411 TIPS (8477) or text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/police/ and submit a tip online.