GilroyDispatch.com | More arrests in copper theft operation

More arrests in copper theft operation

Feb 4, 2008
By Marilyn Dubil





		Copper wire seized as part of a sting operation, in which more arrests have been made during the past week.
		Photo by: Special to The Dispatch

There have been additional arrests as a result of a "sting" operation conducted by the Santa Clara and San Jose police departments to capture criminals illegally selling copper and other stolen goods including a Porsche Carrera.

The undercover investigation, known to the departments as "Operation Meltdown," continued for a year under the disguise of "Jose Clara Co-Op" and wrapped up with multiple arrests on Jan. 22.

During a press conference Jan. 23, San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis and Santa Clara Police Chief Steve Lodge announced that officers attempted to serve 140 arrest warrants, successfully served 74 and arrested 11 people for unrelated charges.

On Friday, Santa Clara Police Department spokesman Mike Sellers said more arrests had been made since, but he wasn't sure of the exact number.

"There isn't any kind of formalized efforts to track these people down, but I do know there have been some arrests that have come from car stops or routine police work," he said. "I'm sure there are some units that have attempted to find people, and I know there have been a few arrests because people called to inquire about it, saying they heard we were looking for them."

The "store" that was set up in San Jose for the sting is no longer in existence, Sellers said.

The sweep included 150 officers. The two police chiefs announced the operation during a press conference at San Jose police headquarters against a backdrop of guns, large coils of copper.

As a result of the sting, 28,000 pounds, or 14 tons, of copper were purchased, 40 stolen vehicles were purchased and 74 firearms were purchased, including illegal weapons and stolen handguns.

A large greenhouse fire on Murphy Avenue last July was incorrectly associated to the sting operation by the Times in an earlier story due to misinformation from Santa Clara County District Attorney Ray Mendoza.

According to South Santa Clara Fire District Battalion Chief Eric Wood the fire referred to in the original story by Mendoza is still under investigation and no cause has been determined at this time. The greenhouse fire caused by copper thieves latching onto a live wire last summer was on the west side of U.S. 101 at the Tennant Avenue exit.

Marilyn Dubil
Marilyn Dubil covers Morgan Hill education and public safety for South Valley Newspapers. Send her an e-mail.

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