Copper Wire Theft Suspect Arrested
On 4-2-13, at about 2:30 AM, Hemet Police officers responded to the area of Florida Ave. and Four Seasons Blvd. after a citizen reported seeing a suspicious person, possible stealing wire from street lights. Hemet has seen an increase in wire theft incidents, and it is becoming a nationwide problem.
When officers arrived in the area, the suspect was seen fleeing on foot and into the residential neighborhood. Officers did not initially locate the suspect, but were able to locate a vehicle they believed belonged to the male suspect. A couple of hours later the suspect returned to the vehicle and began to drive away when he was stopped and detained by Hemet Police officers. The citizen that originally saw the suspect positively identified him as being the same person, and officer located several hundred feet of stolen electrical wire in the vehicle.
Anthony Emilio, 37 years old of Hemet was arrested and booked for grand theft. His bail was set at $5000.00.
The Hemet Police Department requests citizens to call the police and report any suspicious or unusual activity seen around streetlight poles.
Police Chief Dave Brown added that due to the widespread rise of metal thefts throughout the Inland Empire and Southwest Riverside County, he hosted a community round table discussion last week with California State Assemblyman Brian Nestande. Several community members shared personal accounts of the impacts of metal theft. Assemblyman Nestande announced that he is considering legislation to increase the penalties for metal theft and illegal recycling.