Suspects face copper-related charges


Thursday, September 18, 2008
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Suspects face copper-related charges

By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer

Two Memphians have been charged with receiving stolen property, following their arrest September 11 on Mason Road, according to Sheriff Kenny Dickerson.

A deputy on patrol in the western area of the county spotted a gray Mercury with a temporary Tennessee tag and followed the vehicle to a residence on Mason Road where the officer investigated the matter, Dickerson said.

The deputy noted a box in the back seat of the Mercury filled with copper and the back floorboard had copper on it, the sheriff said.

After calling for investigative help, the follow-up work revealed that some of the copper came from a residential area in DeSoto County, he said.

Michael Wayne Lippert, 22, of 3794 Cosgrave Cove, Memphis, Tenn., and Djuante A. James, 20, of 6926 Rockingham Road in Memphis were arrested and charged with receiving stolen property, Dickerson said.

Bond was set at $5,000 each. James was released on bond and Lippert was still in jail Tuesday morning.

Dickerson urges the public to be vigilant in looking out for the property of their neighbors and to report any activity that looks suspicious immediately by calling 911.

“Due to the price of copper and metal accelerating in recent months, we are having more and more victims of copper-related theft, particularly in areas where new homes are being built,” Dickerson said. “Many arrests are made due to a neighbor watching out for the other person’s property. We certainly appreciate the public for watching out for their neighbor’s property and reporting any unusual activity to help keep our county a safe place to live.”

Dickerson said a deputy will be dispatched as quickly as possible to investigate any unusual or suspicious activity after 911 receives a call.

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