Man Arrested For Attempting To Steal Copper From OKC School

Police arrested a man who is accused of attempting to steal copper from an Oklahoma City school.

According to police, at about 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, officers responded to report of a burglary at Columbus Enterprise School, located at S.W. 25th and Penn.

When officers arrived the scene, they said they could hear a reciprocating saw on the floor above them. Officers then went to the third floor and saw the suspect, 37-year-old Dusty Straight, covered in sheet rock dust.

In a classroom on the third floor, officers said they found cut copper pipes in the middle of the floor. They also found a Sawzall reciprocating saw in a closet, along with the suspect's duffel bag.

Police said the school is closed to the public. They believe Straight entered the school through a door on the west side.

Officers said they found a small clear baggy containing a white powdery residue in Straight's pants pocket. A hypodermic syringe was found inside his duffel bag.

Straight was arrested and booked into the Oklahoma County Jail on multiple complaints, including entering the premises with intent to steal copper after a former felony conviction, second degree burglary after a former felony conviction, possession of drug paraphernalia, and destruction of city property.

Authorities said Straight was previously convicted of entering premises with intent to steal copper back in July, 2013.