Alleged copper thief arrested for burglary, other charges
A local man was arrested on multiple felony charges after he was allegedly caught stealing copper wire after breaking into an area business early Friday.
William Michael Garibay, 47, who lists a Spring Street address, was taken into custody shortly before 3 a.m. and charged with commercial burglary and possession of a controlled substance, meth, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and possession of drug paraphernalia, punishable by up to six years.
He was being held on $9,500 bond and was set to appear Friday in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the owner of a industrial building located in the 500 block of Mid-America Boulevard reported that during July the business had been repeatedly burglarized for its copper wire and piping.
Garland
County Sheriff’s Investigator Charlie Mowery had developed multiple suspects in the case, including Garibay, based on the fact on multiple occasions Garibay reportedly sold copper pipe consistent with the pipe stolen from the business.
Around 1:15 a.m. Friday, Mowery and investigator Matthew Ellis were conducting surveillance on the business on Mid-America when they saw a black pickup truck drive onto the property. Shortly before 2:30 a.m., the same truck was seen leaving the property with its headlights and taillights off.
The truck turned left on Mid-America headed toward National Park College and accelerated to a high rate of speed. The investigators followed the truck until they were able to get marked units to make a traffic stop on it at the intersection of Mid-America and Mountain Pine Road.
They made contact with the driver, identified as Garibay, and a computer check confirmed he was on probation with a search waiver on file. The investigators noted that copper wire was in plain view in the bed of the truck that was consistent with wire previously stolen from the business.
Investigators had checked to make sure the business was locked and secure before beginning their surveillance. They returned to the business and found an open rear door and new damage to the building. They also found an area where copper wire had been damaged which matched the copper wire found in Garibay’s truck.
Also found in the truck were several tools consistent with those used to cut copper wire and pipe.
Garibay was taken into custody and investigators reportedly found a baggie with 3 grams of what later tested positive for meth in his pants pocket. A glass smoking pipe with meth residue was reportedly found under the truck’s passenger seat.