Copper Thieves Nabbed at Wellesley Light Plant

Copper thefts are up across the country, as thieves can usually sell the metal for a dollar or more per pound after taking it from an electrical plant or vacant home. 

On Thursday night, Wellesley Police arrested and charged 44-year-old Sean Bussey and 43-year-old Mark Ferragamo, both of Revere with Larceny over $250, common receiving stolen goods, breaking-and-entering at night, and trespassing.

The Wellesley Municipal Light Plant (WMLP) reported, on Wednesday, that they had been the victim of a robbery over the weekend. According to the Police website, it had been stored in a dumpster at the WMLP where it was bound for sale. The Plant recovers thousands of dollars per year re-selling the old wire.

Lieutenant Cunningham and detectives Connelly and McLaughlin investigated the scene and reviewed hours of tape, and came up with two suspects and a suspect vehicle. The vehicle had actually been stopped by Officers Derby and Joseph earlier in the week, for a traffic violation. At the time, the officers noted wire cutters and similar tools in the vehicle, which seemed suspicious, but there were no reported thefts at the time.

Thursday night, officer Dixon was on patrol and saw the same vehicle parked behind the Wellesley Fire Department. He called for backup and watched the vehicle. He reports two men came back with a load of copper wire and the tools, then set off. Police stopped them on Route 9 at the Cliff Road intersection.

Bussey and Ferragamo were arraigned at Dedham District Court on Friday morning. Ferragamo also had an outstanding arrest warrant for an additional larceny charge. They were held on bail.