3 men accused of stealing copper from construction site

Add Us On GoogleAdd as a preferred source on Google

Odom, McCall and Turner (Source: Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office)

WATSON, LA (WAFB) - Authorities arrested three men in connection with three separate copper thefts from the construction site of a new high school Tuesday.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said Brian Odom, 29; Eric McCall, 27; and Tyler Turner, 27, all face theft charges. All three men are from Denham Springs. The copper was taken from the new Live Oak High School in Watson.

Deputies said they responded to a reported brush fire south of Denham Springs on Sept. 2. They found Odom pouring gas on a fire that was burning the insulation off new copper wire. The copper was taken in as evidence, but couldn't be connected to a theft at the time.

Investigators later discovered the copper was stolen from the construction site in late August. Detectives said when they questioned Odom about it he confessed to the theft and added he had been hired as an electrician to work on the new school.

He was booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on one count of felony theft. He was later released on $10,000 bond.

More copper was stolen from the site Monday night. The next day, while investigating the crime, deputies spotted two suspicious looking men walking near the school on LA 16. Authorities said the deputies questioned McCall and Turner and connected them to two separate thefts involving copper extension cords. They added the two men lived within walking distance of the construction site.

According to detectives, McCall admitted to stealing the cords on two separate occasions. He was charged with two counts of theft. His bond was set at $1,000. As of Thursday morning, he was still in jail.

Investigators said Turner confessed to selling the stolen copper to a recycling business for $121. He was booked into the parish prison on the following charges:

Theft by fraud

General speed law (outstanding warrant)

Driving with suspended license (outstanding warrant)

Contempt of court (outstanding warrant)

His bond was set at $4,170.50. As of Thursday, he was still locked up.

The investigation is ongoing and detectives said other arrests are possible.