Four charged with stealing copper from plant

Four men accused of stealing copper from an inactive Russellville mobile home plant were arrested Thursday morning.

Christopher Dewayne Mooney, 44, 100 Poplar Creek Loop, Tuscumbia; Michael Wade Logan, 24, 880 Logan Lane, Leighton; Wesley Shane Edgemon, 21, 6755 County Line Road, Russellville; and Deenytric O’Neal Neloms, 19, 530 Jarmon Lane, Leighton, were all arrested and charged with third-degree burglary, first-degree theft of property, first-degree receiving stolen property, first-degree criminal mischief and possession of burglar tools.

According to authorities, the suspects could face additional charges when their cases are brought before the grand jury.

Authorities received information a few days ago that someone had been stealing from the former Lakota Homes plant located in the Russellville Industrial Park No. 2.

“After we received the information, we immediately notified the owner of the plant and set up surveillance,” Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said.

The suspects were seen Thursday morning in the process of stealing copper from the building and the RPD took action, officials said.

“We organized a take-down team that included the RPD, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and DA investigators,” Hargett said. “We all work together to accomplish these situations.”

The suspects caused several thousand dollars worth of damage to the building and the equipment inside.

“Even though the plant was inactive, there was plenty of copper and scrap metal in the building and in the equipment that was there,” Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said.

“The agencies involved worked diligently over a several day period to make these arrests,” Rushing said. “They should be commended for their hard work in this case.”

Officials said Neloms and Edgemon are being held at the Franklin County Jail on $80,000 bonds, while Mooney and Logan are currently being held without bond for probation violations in other counties.