LSO arrests California man after finding 44,000 pounds of stolen copper wire

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Around 2 p.m. on Oct. 7, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office’s (LSO) Criminal Interdiction Unit made an arrest after finding 44,000 pounds of stolen copper wire during a traffic stop.

LSO deputies stopped a semi-truck for driving on the shoulder of the road on Interstate 80, west of Waverly. The driver of the semi was unable to provide registration.

The driver claimed he did not know what he was hauling, where he picked it up or where it was going. He then gave consent for deputies to search the vehicle.

Deputies found 11 pallets of copper wire, weighing around 44,000 pounds. They also found two bolt cutters.

Courtesy: LSO

Deputies determined that the reason he was driving on the shoulder was because the copper wire pallets were not secured and, therefore, were shifting back and forth.

Deputies also found out where the truck was going during their search. The truck was picked up in Chicago and was supposed to go to Lakeside Auto Recyclers in Iowa to be delivered.

After investigation, it was determined that the load was stolen and not with the correct carrier. The correct carrier has had four loads stolen this year totaling over $1 million, according to LSO.

LSO said the load was worth over $250,000. The investigation is ongoing.

Raman Pal, 22, of California, was arrested and lodged for theft by receiving over $5,000 and possession of burglar tools.