What police describe as a months-long copper-theft ring at a Plymouth Township utility contractor’s yard has led to three arrests and at least two suspects still on the run, after investigators say thieves stripped nearly 15,000 pounds of metal worth about $400,000 from the Infrasource property on Conshohocken Road. Surveillance video recovered by detectives reportedly shows suspects wrestling giant spools of wire down brick steps, then loading them into a waiting vehicle and turning much of the haul into scrap.
Police say overnight crews hunted dark corners, cut through locks
Detective Sgt. Christopher Schwartz told investigators, “It’s estimated they scrapped almost 15 thousand pounds of material off the property,” describing how the suspects allegedly pulled into dark, off-street spots, cut chains and locks, and slipped into the yard, as reported by 6abc. Schwartz also credited routine patrol checks with helping officers spot a wanted man in a nearby parking lot, which he said helped push the investigation forward.
A growing headache for contractors and utilities
Copper theft has repeatedly led to power outages and dangerous run-ins in the region, with thieves often targeting live equipment before selling the metal to scrap yards for quick cash. In one March 2025 case, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that a man was severely burned after cutting into a transformer while trying to steal copper, a stark reminder that these are not victimless crimes.
Three in custody, two still wanted
Plymouth Township police say they arrested Edgardo Albandoz, 26, Yozuet Pagan, 21, and Marc Champagne, 36, all of Philadelphia, on charges that include burglary, theft, and criminal trespassing. Warrants remain active for two other Philadelphia men, 38-year-old Osiris Jones and 34-year-old Derrick Rowland, as reported by 6abc. Investigators estimate the suspects were paid almost $50,000 for the scrap they sold to regional recyclers, and police are urging business owners to bolster lighting and camera coverage and to report any suspicious activity.
State crackdown and what comes next
The case lands as Pennsylvania lawmakers move to tighten rules on scrap-metal sales. In October 2025, the state Senate approved a bill to shift scrap-metal requirements into the Crimes Code and require scrap processors to keep stronger records, a change supporters say will make it harder to fence stolen metal, according to Sen. Frank Farry's office. Detectives say the investigation remains active as they follow new leads and prosecutors consider charges, and they are asking anyone with information to contact the Plymouth Township Police Department.
