2 arrests made in copper theft

STAFF REPORT

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. — Two area men have been arrested in the theft of 415 pounds of copper.

The theft happened around 2 a.m. Jan. 3 at Dairy Farmers of America on Pa. Route 18. The rolled, insulated copper, which was in a storage area, was worth about $1,000, said state police in New Castle. Much of it has been scrapped at local junk yards, they said.

Charged are Eric Matthew Stoner, 23, of Redwood Circle, Pulaski, and Chad Richard McConahy, 23, of Richards Lane, Edinburg.

Stoner is charged with burglary, criminal conspiracy to commit burglary, theft and receiving stolen property.

McConahy is charged with criminal conspiracy to commit burglary, theft and receiving stolen property.

Both were arrested at their homes Thursday.

Stoner was arraigned before District Magistrate Melissa Amodie and incarcerated at Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond. McConahy was arraigned before District Magistrate Scott McGrath and was released after posting a $1,000 bond.