By Bonnie Culverhouse
A Bienville Parish man is in jail after stealing copper wire from a Minden business.
Wilber Ray Roden Jr., 62, of the 500 block of Burkett Rd., Ringgold, was arrested by Webster Parish Sheriff’s investigators and charged with felony theft.
Sheriff Jason Parker said his office received a call from the local business in reference to stolen copper wire.
“The loss/prevention employee at the business said they had Roden on video stealing the copper,” Parker said. “He was also on video stripping the wire and putting it in his truck.”
Investigators reviewed the video and made contact with Roden, advising him of his rights. Afterward, Roden reportedly admitted to stealing the wire and taking it to his residence.
“Investigators went to Roden’s residence in Bienville Parish and recovered approximately 1,620 pounds of bare copper and 12 new batteries,” Parker said.
Value of the copper at scrap price is reportedly more than $6,000, while value of the batteries is around $2,400.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
