Copper Thieves Nabbed In Hamptons After Year Of Investigation: Police

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Four people were arrested and charged after stealing "large amounts" of copper from a Hampton Bays business in 2022, police said.

According to Southampton Town police, on February 21, 2022, officers responded to Esco Electric on East Montauk Highway in reference to the stolen copper.

From February 2022 through September 2023, the Southampton Town Police Department responded to six additional reports of stolen copper from the business, police said.

After an extensive investigation, police said community response officers arrested four individuals:

- Kevin Eckert, 42, of Patchogue, on December 13

- Kelley S. Richardson, 53, of East Quogue, on December 14

= Frank O’Dwyer Blanco, 32, of Hampton Bays, on December 14

- Anthony Blanco, 55, of Hampton Bays, on December 19

All four defendants were charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony, and arraigned in Southampton Town Justice Court, police said.