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Suspected copper thief accused of causing $1 million damages at Spohn

Posted at 12:20 PM, Nov 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-20 18:33:15-05

A local man is facing charges after he was accused of stealing copper from the new Christus Spohn Shoreline Tower and causing more than $1 million in damages in the process.

Witnesses called 911 just before 7:30 p.m. Sunday, with reports indicating that 33-year old Albert Roberts jumped over a fence and got into the new hospital tower’s construction site on the 600 block Elizabeth Street. Minutes later, they saw him leaving with copper wiring.

When police arrived, witnesses said Roberts was walking down Elizabeth Street near Sixth Street with two bags full of copper wiring. Moments later, officers found Roberts with a backpack stocked with copper pieces and copper wiring wrapped in an orange sweatshirt.

Officers took him back to the scene where witnesses identified him. Additionally, a contractor told police that Roberts caused a water leak that flooded three floors and caused more than $1 million in damage.

Roberts was arrested and has been charged with theft of metal, criminal trespassing, and first-degree felony criminal mischief because the amount of damage caused was more than $300,000.

Meanwhile, Roberts remains in the Nueces County Jail on $32,000 bond.