James W. Oiler, 26, 1432 McCormick Road, was indicted on March 23 by the Gallia County grand jury on one count of breaking an entering and one count of theft.
According to Gallia County Common Pleas Court records, Oiler allegedly, by force, stealth or deception trespassed on the premises of L&L Scrap Metal, an unoccupied structure, with the purpose to commit a theft offense and with the purpose to deprive the business of insulated #1 copper wire, and did knowingly obtain or exert control over said property without authorization.
Copper wire theft is on the rise, in some cases disrupting services and endangering lives, which has prompted some legislators to take a closer look at the situation.
State Rep. Clyde Evans recently spoke out on the issue, calling on citizens to be more vigilant about activity near electric and telephone lines and announcing his intent to work with other legislators in an effort to make it more difficult for theives to sell stolen copper.
“Together, maybe we can reduce crime, save lives and pay slightly lower utility bills by getting control of the copper theft that is plaguing our communities,” Evans wrote.
The courts also unsealed an indictment against a Thurman man for allegedly violating a protection order.
Michael P. Halley Sr., 54, 355 Holcomb Hollow Road, was indicted on March 23 on one count of violating a protection order.
According to court records, Halley allegedly recklessly violated the terms of a protection order issued or consent agreement, having been previously convicted of violation of a protection order.
Bradley Bonice, 24, 260-1/2 Fourth Ave., Gallipolis, indicted on Sept. 6, 2006 for theft of a motor vehicle, was sentenced to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections for six months following a guilty plea to the reduced charged of attempted theft.
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