The Warren County Sheriff’s Office has arrested five people involved in the theft of copper wire from Toray Plastics on April 22.

Sheriff Daniel McEathron says several arrests and search warrants were executed after a month-long investigation into the theft of copper stored in a barn located off of 500 Toray Drive in Warren County.

Frederick County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the execution of some of the arrest and search warrants.

Warren Lewis Carter of Winchester, Virginia; Rodger Gay Long, Jr. of Cross Junction, Virginia; and Thurman Louis Armstead of Winchester, Virginia were all arrested, but they have all posted bond and are out of jail.

All three face charges of grand Larceny of copper wire valued at $200 or more and trespassing. Long and Armstead also face a charge of larceny with the intent to sell or distribute such property.

A break in the case came on May 11, 2008 when Deputy Jeremy Seal, while on patrol, saw two men walking near the area of the barn located on the Toray property to a church located off Baugh Drive where a 1987 red Ford pick-up was parked.

When Seal approached the men, they fled on foot. They were pursued and captured a brief distance away.

The men are identified as Gregory Crouse of Whitacre, Virginia and Tina Chambers of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. Both have been charged with grand Larceny of copper wire valued at more than $200 and trespassing.

Crouse is being held without bond at the Warren County Jail. Chambers was released on bond.

The alleged offenses occurred between April 1, 2008 and May 11, 2008. The estimated value of the stolen copper is $100,000.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate this case and additional charges may be forthcoming. Anyone with any information regarding this case should contact Investigator Chris Williams or Deputy Allen Smoot at 540-635-7100.