Officials: Valley woman cut power to steal copper

Published 6:50 pm Monday, July 9, 2018

VALLEY — Over the weekend, several crimes were committed throughout the county, including the tampering of electric boxes at a Valley RV park.

Januari Rhiannon Nelson, 23, of Valley, was arrested on charges of third degree criminal mischief and fourth degree theft of property for allegedly stealing copper wire from Birditt’s Mobile Home and RV at 4320 County Road 388.

According to Sheriff officials, the electrical boxes sending power to the largely empty RV portion of the park were either shut off or disabled by Nelson, who then cut the copper wire out and stole it.

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Sheriff’s deputies responded when a complainant alerted them to the crime. 

Also in Valley, several thefts were reported with one leading to an arrest of an individual not from the area.

Samuel Lee, 19, of Duluth, Georgia, was caught stealing from the Valley Walmart and charged with fourth degree theft of property. It was reported by the Valley police that the store’s security officer witnessed Lee taking the products and took him into custody, detaining him until he was able to turn him over to police.

Lee allegedly attempted to steal a lawn trimmer and two bags of LifeSaver gummies candy.

On the 1700 block of 55th Street in Valley, a burglary and theft were reported over the weekend. Valley police do not yet have a suspect in custody.

Whoever the suspect was, they apparently cut power to the residence before breaking into it, as evident by spoiled food found, Valley Police Department reported.

According to police, a bedroom door was damaged, while a Playstation 4 game system and a men’s diamond ring were stolen.

Anyone with information about the theft can share information with the Valley Police Department.