Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies said they have identified a suspect in connection with a copper wire theft in Cordes Junction last month. Spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn said 25-year-old Ronald Moore was already in custody in Phoenix on similar charges. D’Evelyn said Moore was connected to the theft along Highway 69, after a tip from Phoenix police.

“Moore had sold some copper wire to a scrap yard in the Phoenix area that exactly matched the copper wire taken along Highway 69,” D’Evelyn said. “Additional evidence was recovered from the scene that also linked Moore to our case in Yavapai County.”

D’Evelyn said Moore was very good at removing the wire and had allegedly outfitted his vehicle to help pull the wire through the conduit.