Sheriff: Copper Wire Thieves Caught In The Act

ROSEVILLE (CBS13) -- Three local men were caught in the act of stripping copper wire on Thursday morning, according to the Placer County Sheriff's Department.

PG&E workers called the sheriff's dispatch at 9:43 a.m. to report that three men were loading copper wire into the trunk of their car in a field of Dyer Lane in west Roseville.

The suspects, Shane Michael Quinlan, 20, of Auburn, Dennis Michael O'Brien, 48, of Colfax, and Joseph Michael Taylor, 27, also of Colfax, initially told deputies they were just looking for a place to hang out. But deputies found knives, numerous bundles and rolls of stripped copper wire and gloves around the car.

Inside the car, deputies found pliers with wire-cutting blades and a small amount of marijuana. The total weight of the stripped copper was 72 pounds; 48 pounds of wire that had not yet been stripped was also found.

All three suspects were booked at the Placer County Jail on charges of conspiracy and possessing stolen property. Quinlan was additionally charged with committing a felony while on bail.