Cops Capture Copper Thief Who Used Grandma's Car

A San Francisco man was arrested Monday on suspicion of stealing copper wire from a PG&E plant in Petaluma, a Sonoma County sheriff's sergeant said Tuesday.

Jeffrey Crespo, 41, is also a suspect in other copper wire theft cases, Sgt. Mike Raasch said.

Petaluma police and sheriff's deputies responded to an alarm Monday at the plant at 3600 Adobe Road where copper wire had been stolen over the past few years, Raasch said. Police officers and deputies searched the area with a dog but did not locate a suspect, Raasch said.

A suspicious vehicle with its engine still warm was found nearby, and deputies towed the car when they noticed copper fire on the floorboard of the vehicle. During a search of the car at the sheriff's office, deputies found a large amount of copper wire from the PG&E plant, Raasch said.

The registered owner of the vehicle said she loaned it to Crespo, her grandson, Raasch said.

Crespo was arrested for burglary and possession of stolen property when he went to the sheriff's office to retrieve the vehicle, Raasch said. When deputies searched Crespo's San Francisco residence they found additional property taken from the PG&E plant, Raasch said.

Additional charges are expected to be filed against Crespo, Raasch said.

-- Report from Bay City News, Inc.