Business Owner Catches Copper Thieves On Camera… Again

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- A heating and air conditioning business owner was able to spot copper thieves and notify authorities from the comfort of his own home, thanks to a network of surveillance cameras covering his property.

Royce Air owner Glenn Forrest said it's the second time in recent months his business was targeted for copper, and on both occasions, his internet-capable cameras gave police the time to catch the suspects in the act.

Forrest first noticed activity on his cameras at about 6:30 p.m. when a trio of suspects cut a hole in the fence of Royce Air's property. A car spooked the suspects, but they returned a few hours later.

"I was actually at home watching this," Forrest said, gesturing to the recorded footage on his computer.

Forrest called police and kept a close eye on the suspects as they took copper from his dumpsters to the hole in the fence for about 20 minutes.

Police surrounded the business and waited for the police helicopter to hover overhead. The surveillance video clearly shows one of the suspects looking at the sky in surprise as the helicopter turned on its searchlight, and authorities soon took the three suspects into custody.

All the while, Forrest watched from miles away.

"To me, that's the best part," he said.

In June, police nabbed another trio stealing six air conditioners from Royce Air after Glenn spotted them on his cameras.

Glenn keeps an eye on his cameras every night and says he expects to be targeted again soon.