Coventry Police Recover $50K in Stolen Copper, Arrest 2 Suspects

On Feb. 6, 2013 Coventry Police Officer Jadine Ferri observed a suspicious vehicle operating on Johnsons Blvd. in Coventry and made note of several large items in the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle then stopped in front of a residence at 90 Johnsons Blvd. Off. Ferri passed her observations on to Coventry Detectives, who began a stakeout of the now parked vehicle. 

At about 10:19 a.m. a male, later identified as Greg Waldron, 33 of 315 Station St. entered the vehicle and headed south on Hopkins Hill Rd.

The vehicle was followed a short distance by detectives and later stopped on Hopkins Hill Rd. by marked patrol cars where officers discovered copper coils stolen from cell phone towers in East Providence in the rear of Waldron’s vehicle. Waldron was arrested for possession of the stolen items, possession of burglary Tools and possession of heroin. He was arraigned and held as a violator.  

After further investigation, detectives executed a search warrant at 90 Johnsons Blvd. where they recovered more than $50,000 worth of copper coils and piping suspected to be stolen from cell phone towers throughout the area. After the search Joshua Fleming, 32 of 90 Johnsons Blvd. was arrested and charged with Receiving Stolen Goods (a felony when valued above $1,500). He was also held as a violator. 

Items recovered during the search of Fleming's home led to additional charges by RISP, East Providence Police and East Greenwich Police Departments against the two men.