Modesto police catch copper thief in the act

MODESTO -- Modesto police say they thwarted at least one copper thief when they nabbed a man taking apart air conditioner units this morning.

According to Lt. Jolene Gonzales, officers found Jonathan Carpenter, 41, on top of a building in the 100 block of Covena Avenue at roughly 2 a.m. Carpenter had dismantled two units, valued at $2,000 apiece.

“They were completely destroyed,” Gonzales said. The city has seen a rash of thefts of everything from wiring to water pipes as thieves seek copper to trade in for cash.

“They don’t even get a handful of money,” Gonzales said.