2nd Teen Suspected In School Copper Thefts Behind Bars
MIAMI (CBS4) – A second teen suspected in a number of thefts of copper from schools in Miami-Dade has been taken into custody.
Dustin Wallace, 18, is in jail in Broward on unrelated burglary and grand theft charges.
Last week his suspected partner in crime, 21-year old Anthony Pepitone, was caught on camera trying to break into Wyche Elementary in Miami Gardens, according to police.
According to the school's security cameras, police said, Pepitone arrived wearing a ski mask and then began to arrange ropes he carried for a climb up the outside wall of the school to the roof, more than two stories above.
Moments later a second camera angle shows the Pepitone falling to the ground - a drop of more than 25 feet - where he begins to writhe in pain. The intruder dragged himself out on to a walkway and attempted to stand up, but immediately fell back down. He then dragged himself on his belly out of the school, pushing a pair of bolt cutters in front of him.
"He was trying to get on the roof of the school to commit copper theft," said schools police Sergeant Ivan Silva. "As you can see from the video, he's not the most skillful burglar."
"He sustained what we believe is a significant injury," said schools police Chief Charles Hurley.
Hurley said copper theft has become a major national security and public safety issue.
"It is a billion dollar a year business. Thieves are stealing copper from utility poles, air conditioning units, school equipment, even churches," Hurley said.
Pepitone was arrested Saturday and charged eight counts of burglary along with possession of burglary tools and criminal mischief.
Police believe the pair is responsible for a number of school break ins in Hialeah, Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach.
Hurley told CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald he expects Wallace to be charged in the school burglaries soon.
