The Michigan State Police (MSP) Lansing Post has arrested Tylor Merritt-Kirk Ward of Ionia County for the theft of more than $4,000 in electrical copper wire from a business in Clinton County.  In the last 30 days alone, Ward had sold more than $6,000 worth of steel, copper and aluminum to local re-processors.  Ward was arraigned yesterday in 65^th District Court in St. Johns and held on $20,000 cash bond.

Investigators allege that Ward is part of a larger crime ring operating from Ionia County that has committed thefts in numerous counties.  Other suspects in this organization have been identified and more arrests are expected.

Since the rise of metal prices, law enforcement agencies have been inundated with thefts of copper, aluminum and steel from irrigation systems, construction sites, communication networks and transportation systems. 

"In addition to the monetary loss resulting from the theft of the metal, thieves often damage other property in the process of stealing the metal, making this theft all the more expensive for victims," stated Tpr. Scott Nichols of the MSP Lansing Post.  "We know of a situation in Ionia County where the thieves cut into a large roll of fiber optic cable looking for copper.  Because fiber optic cable cannot be spliced, the entire roll was ruined."

If you suspect the theft of metal, the MSP is asking you contact your nearest law enforcement agency.