Two women arrested for alleged copper theft
Two women were arrested in Milpitas earlier this week after they were allegedly caught in the act of trying to steal copper from a local business.
Just before 4 a.m. on January 30, Milpitas police officers noticed a fence surrounding a vacant business had been cut and spotted the beam of a flashlight coming from inside the building, authorities say.
The officers entered the building to investigate and located 29-year-old Donica Martinez of San Jose. Martinez allegedly had copper pipe and wire in her possession when she was found, according to Milpitas police.
Officers then located 50-year-old Deborah Ibarra, also of San Jose, who had been sitting in a parked car just outside the building. A search of the vehicle turned up more copper wire and piping, according to police. Officers also reportedly found Ibarra in possession of a hypodermic needle and a methamphetamine pipe.
Martinez was charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools. Ibarra was arrested for burglary, possession of burglary tools, possession of a hypodermic needle, and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Both women were booked into Santa Clara County Jail.
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Patch.com, Women arrested for copper theft