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“Your luck will eventually run out and you’ll receive a knock on the door.” –Sheriff John Kirk

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BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — One of five men arrested last month for cutting phone lines and selling the copper found himself on the wrong side of the law again after a 55-gallon drum containing copper lines was discovered on his property.

Officers from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office went Monday to 23-year-old Julian A. Preece’s residence in Inez to question him on an unrelated matter. While there, the officers observed the metal drum containing the copper, a burn pile and a saw.

Deputy Chris Kidd reported that upon questioning about the stolen phone lines, Preece claimed it was from a copper theft that he was arrested for in November and had remained undetected when he was arrested.

According to Sheriff John Kirk, Kidd obtained an arrest warrant against Preece for possession of stolen property. Kirk said the new charge would be added to the original charges against Preece.

“Don’t ever be fooled that you are smarter than those investigating these cases or that you won’t be caught,” Kirk said. “It may not happen immediately, but you will be held accountable for your crime.

“Theft of any kind will never be tolerated in Martin County, whether it’s a copper theft or theft of merchandise, burglaries of homes and businesses – it doesn’t matter. Your luck will eventually run out and you’ll receive a knock on the door.”