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March 25, 2008 - 10:50AM

Electrician linked to $200,000 in copper thefts

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Mike Branom, Tribune

Chandler police believe they have caught an electrician responsible for a series of thefts that netted him more than $200,000 worth of copper wire.

Steven Ross Fowler, 40, of Tempe was arrested early Friday at a city facility near Cooper Road and Loop 202. He was booked into jail on one count of third-degree burglary.

According to police, Fowler was tripped up by new technology that alerted authorities when someone was tampering with the wire. Around 4:30 a.m., 40 minutes after the initial alert, a police K-9 unit found Fowler in some bushes, where he was burying himself in dirt to avoid detection.

Earlier, a search had turned up burglary tools.

Fowler has an extensive electrical background, police said.

Chandler police encourage anyone with further information about this case or other copper wire thefts to call (480) 782-4130.

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