Covina Police Arrest Glendora Copper Theft Suspect

Glendora Police have filed charges today against a transient connected with recent copper wire thefts at .

Christopher Michael Girard, 27, a former Glendora resident who now claims to be a transient, was arrested Jan. 31 in the 1100 block of N. Glendora Avenue by Covina Police for driving on a suspended license. Girard also had a traffic warrant and is being held in lieu of $20,860 bail--$20,000 in criminal charges and $860 for the warrant--police said.

During the vehicle search, Covina officers discovered some commercial voltage breakers, various tools and a lot of miscellaneous copper wire in the vehicle Girard was driving, said Lt. Brian Summers of Glendora Police.

Covina Police alerted Glendora authorities about Girard and a possible link between the copper found in his possession and the recent Glendora thefts, police said. Girard was released to the custody of Glendora Police yesterday, Summers said.

"This afternoon, based upon our investigation, and statements made by the suspect, we filed charges against him," Summers said, which include one felony count of grand theft copper wire and one count of felony vandalism. The charges were filed this afternoon.

Police are still investigating the thefts and could not say if they believe Girard worked alone or had an accomplice.

An updated total in the amount of damage done to Pompei Park lighting is now at $18,000, police said.

Girard will be arraigned at West Covina Courthouse Friday morning.