Suspect Begins Chase While Dragging Stolen Copper From Noble Co. Oil Well Site

A man accused of stealing copper from an oil well site has been arrested after deputies say he led them on a short, high-speed chase that led to a manhunt in Noble County.

Around 6:30 a.m. on April 21, a Noble County sheriff deputy was dispatched to an oil well site near the intersection of Bronco and County Road 130.

When the deputy arrived, Noble County Sheriff Matt McGuire said John Smith, 44, was caught in the middle of a copper theft.

“The individual saw the marked deputy unit and at that point decided to leave quickly by driving through the fence that was around the location,” said McGuire.

McGuire said Smith led the deputy on a chase that reached speeds over 90 mph.

The deputy couldn’t believe what he was seeing during the chase.

“As he was fleeing and kicking up the dust, the dust was being predominantly kicked up because the copper was hanging out of the back of his pickup,” McGuire said. “It appeared he had just tied it up to it and drove off.”

Deputies tracked Smith to a nearby pasture where he abandoned his pickup truck. Multiple law enforcement agencies established a parameter in the area.

According to court records, a K-9 helped track Smith down after finding a meth pipe in an open field.

Drones were also used in the search for Smith.

Later that afternoon, law enforcement found Smith hiding under a tree.

McGuire said the terrain law enforcement searched was very rugged.

“It was very difficult to search,” McGuire said. “(A) lot of trees, lots of underbrush, thorns, briars, cedar trees.”

Copper thefts are common in Oklahoma, but McGuire said as of late, the crime has become unusually more common.

Deputies have tried catching thieves in the act when it goes reported, but now know why their efforts have not been successful in the past.

“We’ve obtained some information that they were able to know that we were responding to these areas through some possible scanners, therefore they were able to flee prior to us even arriving,” said McGuire.

It’s not Smith’s first-time facing charges of copper theft. In May 2020, copper theft charges were filed in Logan County. Smith has also pled guilty to meth charges in Payne County in 2003. 

McGuire said the Noble County Sheriff’s Office will continue efforts to catch copper thieves.

“It was getting very expensive for the victims,” McGuire said. “We are just sick and tired of the copper thieves.”

Deputies believe Smith would have gotten away with around $1,000 worth of copper if he weren’t caught.

Damage done to the oil well site is estimated to be over $5,000.

A judge set bond for Smith at $100,000.