Police Arrest Suspect in Copper Theft

LIBERTY, April 8, 2008 - Railroad employees working on the railroad notified the Liberty Police Department of two men who were apparently stealing copper wiring on the rail tracks about 200 yards west of the Trinity River Bridge around 4:30 PM on Tuesday.

Several Officers from the City of Liberty Police Department responded to the scene and were assisted by Dayton Police Officers who manned check points along US 90 between the river bridge and Terrell’s Auto Salvage Yard. Other Officers searched the area behind Terrell’s.

One of the men was described as wearing no shirt, having blue jeans and boots. The man with no shirt was identified as Clifford Wheatley in his late 40’s of Liberty.

Witnesses at the scene say Wheatley walked from US 90, north across the parking lot of Terrell’s and ran around the west end of the building. Officers quickly located the man behind the business and took him into custody without incident. The other man was also located by police and identified as Wheatley’s mentally handicapped stepson, Jonathan Wheatley.

The property allegedly stolen by Wheatley consisted of a battery charger and copper wiring belonging to the railroad. It’s value and that of the damaged caused by the theft is estimated to be around $800.00.

Clifford Wheatley was charged with Possession of Stolen Property, classified as a Theft and a State Jail Felony.

Wheatley’s stepson will not be charged due to his incapacitation.