Copper Theft: “Inside Job

Six men, including three former workers at the General Electric facility on Scenic Highway in Pensacola, have been accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of copper wire.

"This is the largest copper theft ring we've ever seen," says Escambia County Sheriff Ron McNesby. "The men stole 63-thousand pounds of copper, valued at 367-thousand dollars."

The six men have been arrested and charged with grand theft. Warrants are out for three other men (Cordero Smith, Eugene Roberson, Howard English) believed to be involved in the major theft ring.

"Copper wire theft is on the rise," says McNesby. "Every county in this part of Florida has a problem with it."

The former G-E employees are accused of loading truckloads full of copper cable then selling it to local recycling centers. Local recycling centers are cracking down on "hot" copper...and are implementing strict policies when buying the material.