Suspects steal $100K in copper from data center site
Two suspects are on the run after $100,000 worth of copper was stolen from a data center construction site in Loudoun County, Virginia. Three other suspects were arrested and charged with grand larceny after crashing their U-Haul during a pursuit by sheriff's deputies. Former FBI agent Ken Gray noted that data centers are becoming a new target for copper theft.
Authorities are searching for two suspects involved in a six-figure copper heist at a data center construction site in Loudoun County, Virginia. The incident, which occurred on a Saturday, involved a group using a U-Haul truck to remove a large amount of copper wire spools, valued at over $100,000.
Loudoun County Sheriff's deputies intercepted the group, leading to a pursuit during which the U-Haul truck crashed. Three suspects were apprehended at the scene: 21-year-old Jamal Micah Khalil Mskelli of Alexandria, 23-year-old Demetria Shawn Charlton of Falls Church, and 18-year-old Cordell Lamar Carter of Washington D.C. All three have been arrested and charged with grand larceny. Two additional suspects managed to evade capture and remain at large.
Former FBI special agent Ken Gray commented on the incident, stating that data centers, with their valuable copper infrastructure, are becoming a new target for criminals. He suggested that the sophistication of the theft, requiring planning and transportation for heavy spools, indicates prior surveillance of the site. Authorities also noted that two of the arrested suspects have prior criminal records, with one reportedly on parole and the other on probation. All three appeared in court, where only one was granted bond.