FRUITA, Colo. — A Grand Junction man was arrested Thursday after deputies say he allegedly stole copper wire from a Fruita business, damaging equipment in the process.
According to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and officers from the Fruita Police Department responded to a report of a trespass in progress on Thursday, March 12 at a business in Fruita, Colorado.
While responding, law enforcement located a man walking along Highway 50 who matched the suspect’s description, authorities said.
Investigators later determined the man had allegedly entered the business property through illegal means and removed more than 60 feet of copper wire from the site. During the incident, machinery at the business was also damaged, according to the sheriff’s office.
The suspect was identified as Kevin Meadows, 47, of Grand Junction.
Authorities said Meadows was arrested without incident and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility.
He faces several charges, including:
- Criminal Mischief ($20,000 or more but less than $100,000), a felony
- Theft ($2,000–$5,000) from a building, a felony
- Second-degree criminal trespass on enclosed or fenced property, a petty offense
According to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation remains ongoing, and no additional information has been released.
Copper wire theft cases have become a recurring concern for businesses due to the value of scrap copper and the potential for costly infrastructure damage.
For commuters and young workers in the area, incidents near Highway 50 can occasionally draw law enforcement activity along the corridor.
Authorities say anyone with additional information related to the case should contact local law enforcement.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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