Copper theft suspect flees after confrontation with victim

After discovering the copper was missing from the back of his truck, the victim noticed his neighbor was burning something and decided to investigate. While walking through the woods between his residence and that of his neighbor, the victim stepped on something that was covered by leaves. When the victim swept the leaves aside, he found his missing roll of copper.

Part of the roll had been cut and the victim was unable to determine how much copper was missing. The victim then noticed a segment of wire tied to a nearby tree. The casing had been stripped and the copper wire removed.

The victim continued to his neighbor’s residence and confronted the man about the copper theft. According to the victim, the man did not admit stealing the copper, but offered to compensate the victim for his loss.

When the victim said he intended to contact the Sheriff’s Office, the man ran into the woods behind his house. A neighbor who witnessed the incident said she believed the man fled because he has warrants for his arrest.

Another man who was present at the time of the investigation was arrested on unrelated charges. James Floyd Brannan III, 51, of 302 Wages Road in Auburn, lives at the same address as the copper theft suspect. Brannan denied having any knowledge of the copper theft, but was taken into custody after a check of his identification showed an outstanding warrant.

The copper theft remains under investigation.

Other recent incidents investigated by Barrow County Sheriff’s deputies include:

•entering auto on Otis Drive. A handgun valued at $400 and a small amount of cash was stolen out of an unlocked vehicle.

•entering auto on Downing Drive. Two unlocked vehicles were entered. Nothing was reported missing out of one vehicle, but the owner of the second vehicle reported the theft of $60 in cash.

•entering auto on Bentley Circle. Two vehicles were entered. No items were taken from one vehicle, but a small amount of loose change was stolen out of a second vehicle at the location. Both vehicles had been left unlocked.

•harassing phone calls on Carl Bethlehem Road. A woman said a male acquaintance was harassing her fiancé. The woman said when she accidentally called the male acquaintance, he called her back and then called her fiancé numerous times after being asked not to do so.

•entering auto on Patrick Industrial Lane. Several vehicles and vehicle trailers were entered and items removed.

•entering auto on Kings Court. Three unlocked vehicles were entered. The owner advised that $22 in cash was taken out of one of the vehicles.

•theft by taking on Kilcrease Road. A 7’x20’ trailer valued at $5,000 was reported stolen. The trailer was loaded with approximately $10,000 worth of lumber at the time of the theft.

•entering auto on McDowell Lane. A cup of change valued at $5 and a Bluetooth headset valued at $40 were stolen out of an unlocked vehicle. Two vehicles at a neighboring residence were also entered, but no items were reported missing.

•criminal trespass on Sedgefield Trail. A man reported seeing a black male entering a vacant house. While deputies were in the front yard of the residence, the male fled out the back door into the wood line. Attempts to apprehend the male were unsuccessful.

•burglary on Dunahoo Road. Several tools and a cattle trailer were reported stolen.

•harassing phone calls on Raymond Drive. A woman reported receiving numerous calls from her stepson’s stepgrandmother.

•theft on Mulberry Road. A man discovered several tools, a movie camera and an outdoor infrared camera missing from his residence.

•cruelty to animals on Hancock Bridge Road. A man reported that a thoroughbred horse had been shot in the leg.

•theft by taking on Brent Way. Three extension cords valued at $155 were reported stolen.

•shots fired on Briarwood Drive. A man reported hearing three gunshots. The origin of the noise was not discovered.

•burglary on Mountain Lake Drive. Several tools, extension cords and two propane heaters were among the items reported stolen. The victim said he noticed a garage door opener was missing out of one of his cars. The stolen items had been stored in the garage.

•theft by taking on Patrick Industrial Lane. Several pieces of scrap metal were reported stolen.

•animal complaint on Kendall Park Drive. A deputy was called to deal with an aggressive pit bull blocking the door to a residence. The deputy stood by until animal control arrived and captured the animal.

•harassing phone calls on Hardigree Road. A man said he has been threatened by his ex-wife’s husband on several occasions.

•burglary on Autumn Avenue. A home was ransacked and burglarized. Several items, including a handgun, were stolen and paint was poured over furniture, clothing and flooring throughout the home.

•stolen vehicle on Plantation Road. A woman reported her 1991 Toyota Camry stolen. The vehicle was described as silver and in “rough” condition.

•entering auto on Candlewood Terrace. A woman said her wallet containing $282 in cash had been stolen out of her vehicle. The woman said she left the wallet on the front seat.

•theft on Dale Drive. A man said he believes someone has stolen Freon out of his air conditioning unit.

•burglary on Jones Road. A woman believes her sister burglarized her home. Her sister has an extensive criminal history and was the last person seen at the residence.

•damage to vehicle on Duncan Lane. A man discovered a tire on his vehicle had been slashed after receiving a phone call from a male and female telling him he needed to step outside. The female is believed to be a former employee.

•suspicious incident on Azalea Drive. A woman said she had heard what sounded like someone walking through her back yard for four days straight.

•burglary on Tucker Road. Two men interrupted a burglary in progress. Based on evidence collected at the scene, the burglars had attempted to steal copper wiring and copper components from an air conditioning unit. The burglars fled, but the victim was able to provide a suspect description, vehicle description and tag number.

•theft by taking on Progress Drive. A woman reported that her purse had been stolen out from under her desk at work.

•entering auto on Saddle Ridge Drive. Three unlocked vehicles were entered. A purse, GPS unit, dvds and cds were among the items reported stolen.

•entering auto on Ansley Court. A .357 Ruger pistol valued at $400 was reported stolen out of an unlocked pickup truck.

•fraud in Elk Street. A woman said someone using her name and former address fraudulently opened a T-mobile account.

•entering auto on Saddle Ridge Drive. A laptop computer valued at $600 was stolen out of an unlocked vehicle.

•burglary on Rockwell Church Road. Approximately 1,000 feet of wiring was stolen out of a chicken house.

•animal complaint on Joe’s Trail. A woman called the Sheriff’s Office after a neighbor threatened to shoot her boyfriend’s pit bull. The neighbor said he was scared of the pit bull and showed the deputy where the dog had attempted to chew through the fence and attack him. The deputy explained to the woman that the neighbor was within his rights to shoot the dog if it attacked him.

•burglary on Jefferson Road. A check book and change jar containing approximately $30 in cash was reported stolen.

•burglary on Arnold Road. A flat screen television, two ratchet sets and electric cords were reported stolen.

•suspicious incident on Loganville Highway. A woman said two Hispanic females attempted to steal her purse while she was shopping. The woman said one of the females began talking to her and when she turned around she saw the other female reaching for her purse which was sitting inside her shopping cart.

•burglary on East Star Street. Several hundred dollars worth of tools were reported missing.

•suspicious incident on Jackson Trail. A woman called the Sheriff’s Office after a female walked by her house and cursed at her. The complainant said she did not know the female.