Man arrested for stealing copper from Towne West Square Mall
WICHITA, Kan. March 19 2019 Wichita police arrested a man on Friday for trying to steal copper from Towne West Square mall.
Police say an off-duty officer was providing security at the mall. Around 7 p.m., they say a “good citizen” reported to the officer that a man appeared to cut wires from the light pole and leave in a gold-colored sedan.
Officers conducted a traffic stop in 500 block of West Street on a vehicle that matched the description.
They say 43-year-old Rodnee Cain ran from the vehicle and was taken into custody after a short chase. He was arrested on six counts including the destruction of property, an aggravated weapons violation and an outstanding warrant.
Two teen boys — a 16-year-old who was driving and a 17-year-old passenger were also in the vehicle.
Investigators learned six light poles in the mall parking lot were damaged.
Police say they have had other issues with copper thefts from light poles. They thank the citizen for seeing something suspicious and reporting it, “see something, say something.”
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