Hall County authorities have charged a Hoschton man with the theft of hundreds of pounds of copper wire from a Georgia Power substation on Lula Road. James Allen Ray, 39, was booked into the Hall County Jail on Monday on two of theft by taking charges.
“Over the course of a three-week investigation, HCSO investigators determined Ray had stolen copper wire from the substation two times,” sheriff’s office spokeswoman B.J. Williams wrote in an email Tuesday. “The first theft occurred between Aug. 22 and Aug. 24; Ray stole approximately 300 lbs. of copper wire at that time. The second theft occurred in the early morning hours of Aug. 27; Ray stole approximately 400 lbs. of copper wire in the subsequent theft.”
The total value of the stolen copper was estimated at $3,800. Investigators found evidence that Ray had sold the stolen copper at various recycling businesses in Jefferson, Doraville and Norcross between Aug. 24 and Sept. 8.
Investigators obtained arrest warrants for Ray on Sept. 11. On Monday, he was taken into custody in Dekalb County and transported to the Hall County Jail the same day. At last check, Ray remained in custody on a bond of $9,200.