Two men were accused of a copper theft spree causing over $100,000 in damages in West Valley City, Utah. The Utah AG's office brought charges after investigators found them as part of a spree involving multiple break-ins and the sale of stolen copper.
Two men were accused of a copper theft spree, causing more than a $100,000 in damages. With copper prices hitting an all-time high this year, thanks to factors like the war in Iran, Christopher Smith and Tyler Chavis were accused of multiple break-ins within a month in West Valley City.
The Utah AG’s Office brought the charges after investigators said Smith and Chavis were a part of a spree that involved four different incidents at two different locations from March to April. Wrong-way driver suspected of DUI after allegedly trying to hit cars on I-15A court document says the spree allegedly started at a Jordan Valley Water Building, where a burglary was reported on March 26.
Workers found that a window had been cut out and a power breaker had been turned off. Forensic evidence identified the suspect as Smith. He allegedly admitted to the theft as well as selling the copper to a salvage yard to support his drug habit. Video footage showed Smith, this time along with Chavis, had broken into the building and removed copper pipes and wires, along with a lockbox with at least $10,000 worth of motherboards.
Then, on April 20, the two men were accused of going back to the first building. They were seen by someone who called it in, leading the two men to leave the building. But Chavis went back and was caught by police, and he allegedly admitted that he and Smith went back with the intent to steal copper wire.
Five days later, on April 25, Smith was found back in the Jordan Valley Water Building, allegedly cutting and stripping copper wire. He ran from the police but was caught shortly after. Soon after, he was released from the hospital and booked into jail. In a statement to 2News, Jordan Valley Water District said they’re supporting the investigation, and they could confirm no water services were disrupted because of the incidents.
"Jordan Valley maintains insurance coverage for damages, including those related to criminal activity, seeks restitution from perpetrators where appropriate, and is committed to managing public funds responsibly without passing these costs onto customers,” the statement read. "From tariff situations to global insecurities with the Strait of Hormuz being closed, all these prices have stayed high,” said Chris Lewon with Utah Metal Works.
Lewon said all of that, plus with things like the rise of AI and data centers, copper prices hit an all-time high as recently as a couple of weeks ago.
"Copper, as well as aluminum and other types of these materials, are used in so many different products, they become easy targets,” Lewon said. Smith is being charged with theft and multiple counts of both property damage and burglary. Chavis is listed as Smith’s co-defendant.
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Copper Theft Christopher Smith Tyler Chavis I-15 DUI Jordan Valley Water Building Copper Pipe Motherboard Lockbox
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