Calif. Police Arrest Suspected Copper Thieves
Palo Alto police announced the arrest Tuesday of two men who allegedly looted copper pieces from a high-tech business on East Meadow Circle.
Officers discovered the men in a pickup truck in the rear parking lot of Crystal Technologies at about 11:45 p.m. Sunday, according to Palo Alto police Sgt. Kara Apple.
Upon further investigation, they determined the men had cut a locked gate and broken into a shipping container full of copper.
Copper is typically stolen because it can be recycled for cash, police said.
Crystal Technologies manufactures lithium niobate wafers, crystal substrates, and acousto- and electro-optic components, according to its website.
San Jose residents Brandon Groover, 36, and Richard Sgambati, 33, were both arrested on suspicion of possessing stolen property and burglary tools. Groover was also on parole for a Santa Clara County burglary, police said. Both men were booked into Santa Clara County jail.
Email Jason Green at [email protected].
Copyright 2011 - Palo Alto Daily News, Calif.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service