2 Copper Thieves Busted At Old US Steel Mill By Joliet Police: Cops

JOLIET, IL — Even though it is illegal to steal copper from private property, two Joliet men were arrested in connection with the theft of copper at the old U.S. Steel mill at 927 Collins Street, Joliet police announced.

Erik Orozco, 29, was arrested and released on a Notice to Appear in Court on charges of burglary, possession of burglary tools and criminal trespass. His friend, Ricardo Serrano, 30, was arrested and given a notice to appear in court on charges of burglary and criminal trespass.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, the following events led to the pair of arrests during the late afternoon hours of Saturday:

• At 4:06 p.m., officers responded to the Joliet Steel Mill for a report of two men exiting the property through an opening in the fence with what appeared to copper taken from inside the building.
• Officers encountered Orozco and Serrano standing outside a BMW 525i and both appeared to be sweating profusely and out of breath.
• Orozco consented to a vehicle search and police discovered two steel transformers that contained copper in the vehicle’s trunk. A pair of bolt cutters were in the vehicle as well.
• A U.S. Steel representative arrived and identified the property. Orozco and Serrano were placed into custody without incident.