Alert Neighbor Helps Norman Police Catch Suspected Copper Thieves

Norman police nabbed two men Tuesday suspected of stealing copper pipe from a Cleveland County building.

A neighbor called police around 2:30 p.m. on June 5 after seeing something suspicious at a vacant building in the 4800 block of East Post Oak Road. When police arrived, they found a pickup truck parked near the building. The bed of the truck was filled with copper pipe.

Police saw Justin Ray Lucas, 35, sitting inside the vehicle. When they spoke to him, he admitted there was a second suspect, later identified as 31-year-old John Paul Gregor, inside the building.

Officers arrested Lucas and began searching for Gregor. They used K-9 dogs and thermal imaging but could not locate him. After several hours, police saw Gregor leaving the building, apparently believing police had left. He was dehydrated and needed medical attention. After paramedics checked him out, police arrested him.

Both Lucas and Gregor were booked on complaints of second-degree burglary and copper theft.

The owner of the building estimated the copper theft and related damage cost about $50,000.