Two Arrested in Tower Copper Heist
The long arm of the law caught up last week with two men accused in the May 28 theft of tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of copper from Tower Extrusions.
Olney Police arrested Garland Glen Gleghorn, 49, of Olney on a charge of theft of precious metals valued at more than $30,000, a second-degree felony. A magistrate set his bond at $75,000. Mr. Gleghorn was already in Young County Jail on a probation violation when he was charged with the theft, police said.
William Joseph McIntyre IV, 40, also was taken into custody, Olney Police Detective Matt England said. Mr. McIntyre was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, in connection with a forklift used during the theft, Detective England said. His bond was set at $25,000.
The arrests followed a tip from a man who told police he overheard Mr. Gleghorn discussing the copper theft during a telephone conversation while the two men worked together in the oilfield, according to an Aug. 26 probable-cause affidavit filed by Detective England.
Detective England interviewed Mr. Gleghorn on Aug. 18 in jail, the affidavit said. Mr. Gleghorn allegedly told the detective that he and a friend were visiting Mr. McIntyre at his home in the 1000 block of West Elm Street on the night of the theft, when Mr. McIntyre devised a plan to steal copper from Tower Extrusions.
According to the affidavit, Mr. McIntyre supplied two-way radios and had Mr. Gleghorn drop him off near Olney Road and State Highway 79 South. With his face covered by a bandanna, Mr. McIntyre allegedly walked toward the Tower property, climbed onto a forklift and drove it to a building where a box of copper was stored.
Mr. Gleghorn allegedly drove to Springcreek Drive and waited near the Over Yonder RV park at South Avenue C. When he had obtained the copper, Mr. McIntyre radioed the others and met them on Olney Road, the affidavit said.
The men allegedly filled the vehicle’s trunk, back seat and front passenger seat with copper. Because no room remained for passengers, Mr. McIntyre reportedly drove away alone while Mr. Gleghorn walked home “staying in the shadows so he would not be caught,” according to the affidavit.
The men later agreed to divide the stolen copper equally, the affidavit said. Mr. Gleghorn claimed, however, that he never received his share and that Mr. McIntyre subsequently cut ties with him.
Mr. Gleghorn provided police with a signed written statement and helped Detective England draw a map of the theft route, the affidavit said. He also identified a possible location in Eliasville where the stolen copper might have been taken, the affidavit said.
Tower Human Resources Manager Michael Blevins worked closely with Olney Police, and commended them for sticking with the case. “We’re very thankful for the OPD’s diligence and persistence in this case,” Mr. Blevins said. “They did an excellent job.”