Three people have been arrested in connection with theft of cooper wire from a Meridian construction site.
Police were contacted by a security guard at a construction site in the 3400 block of East River Valley St. about 12:15 a.m. Monday, after seeing two suspicious people enter the grounds.
Officers arrived and took Jordan Cofer, 23, and Meagan Lapp, 29, both of Boise, into custody. “We also arrested Brandon Lapp (30, of Meridian) a short distance away,” said Meridian Police Deputy Chief Tracy Basterrecheda. Police say Lapp was the driver of the “getaway” vehicle.
“The three were (reportedly) taking copper wire from the buildings under construction,” Basterrechea said. “Cofer was in possession of wire cutters, some other tools, and a flashlight. Meagan Lapp was in possession of four different types of wire cutters, a trace amount of heroin and paraphernalia. Brandon Lapp was arrested as a co-conspirator.”
Cofer is charged with felony burglary and misdemeanor possession of burglary tools; Meagan Lapp faces felony burglary and possession of a controlled substance charges. She was also arrested for possessing drug paraphernalia and burglary tools. Brandon Lapp was arrested for felony burglary and criminal conspiracy. He was also charged with possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.
Basterrechea said the copper wire was valued at about $335.
Thieves commonly steal copper wire to recycle it for cash, police say.
