Police: Copper theft foiled

The suspects were putting on gloves when confronted by police.
CAMPBELL -- A police stakeout in sweltering heat at Cold Metal Products -- where a would-be copper thief was electrocuted last month -- resulted in the arrest of two Youngstown men.
In mid-June, Louis C. McGee, 40, of North Pearl Street, died inside Cold Metal Products on South Montgomery Street when he cut into a live wire and fell 25 feet to the factory floor, according to Vindicator files. Police said he was in the building to steal copper.
In response, the company asked police to set up surveillance, said Sgt. Gus Nicolaou. He said officers working security details staggered their hours and brought in coolers of water because of the oppressive heat inside the building.
After a hot weekend, Nicolaou and Patrolman Ryan Bloomer saw some action around 7:15 p.m. Sunday. Two men who had parked their truck nearby on Cherry Street came through a hole in the fence and walked into the factory, slipping gloves on as they walked, Nicolaou said.
"We heard the door open and hid behind machinery -- they headed straight for us," Nicolaou said. "We jumped out, with guns drawn, and they stopped. We ordered them to the ground and called for a unit to pick them up."
Charges
Arrested and taken to the Mahoning County jail were neighbors Robert L. Armstrong, 53, and Timothy S. Wainwright, 40, both of Albert Street. Nicolaou said the men would be arraigned today Campbell Municipal Court on charges of breaking and entering and possession of criminal tools (the gloves). The officer said it's possible the men had earlier stashed wire cutters inside the factory.
Nicolaou said the men may also face a charge of attempted theft because there was no other reason for them to be in the building. "They told us they were just looking around," the officer said.
Nicolaou said Cold Metal Products is not abandoned, as there are men working inside cleaning up the place for possible renters. He said surveillance at the business will continue.
Also in mid-June, a man died from electrocution in Warren Township, also related to copper theft.