A second arrest has been made by deputies in a string of agricultural copper thefts that occurred in rural Butler County.
Glen Yandell Jr. was arrested Thursday afternoon on Butler County Road 604, according to Sheriff Mark Dobbs.
Butler County investigator Eddie Holloway received information in the afternoon hours Thursday that a suspect vehicle in numerous agricultural copper thefts had been spotted and was being followed by area farmers, he said.
The vehicle, a green Jeep Liberty, was followed by members of Clark farms as well as Yarbro Farms until it could be intercepted by Butler County deputies, according to officials.
Deputies report Yandell was questioned about recent thefts and property damage to several agricultural irrigation wells in the Qulin area. He allegedly admitted to stealing large amounts of copper from five irrigation wells and agreed to show investigator Holloway their location.
A search of Yandell’s vehicle revealed tools used to obtain copper wire, officials reported.
Yandell was arrested on three outstanding Butler County warrants. Additionally, charges have been sought for five counts of felony property damage and felony stealing, according to the sheriff.
Prior to Yandell’s arrest, Michael W. Hon, 44, of Poplar Bluff was also apprehended after a lengthy pursuit on suspicion of felony stealing, felony resisting arrest by fleeing and felony property damage. Officials said stolen copper was found in his truck. That is in addition to an outstanding felony parole warrant from a prior incident, they reported.
Yandell and Hon were booked at Butler County jail. The investigation is ongoing.