Two Suspects in Custody After Stealing Copper from a Tunnel Connected to the BHP Mine

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

During the past year, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has investigated several reported thefts of copper wire from the BHP Mine located at 200 South Veterans Memorial Blvd., San Manuel.

On Saturday, November 24th, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy while working his normal patrol duties stopped by the closed mine to conduct a security check of the property. The deputy first went to a large hand dug tunnel on the property which he felt the suspects who were stealing the copper in the past were using to gain access to the abandoned mine shaft where the copper was being taken from.

As the deputy stood at the top of the tunnel, he could hear the sound of movement inside of the tunnel and called for additional deputies to respond.

At 8:34 p.m. Victor Gutierrez (age 46 of San Manuel) stuck his head out of the top of the tunnel. Deputies ordered him out of the tunnel at gunpoint. Victor complied and was taken into custody. At the time of his arrest, Victor was wearing a headlamp on his head so he could see inside of the tunnel. Victor denied anybody else was in the tunnel.

At 8:50 p.m. deputies climbed into the tunnel and located Mark Jimenez (age 34 of San Manuel). Mark was also wearing a headlamp on his head so he could see inside of the tunnel. Mark was ordered out of the tunnel and was also taken into custody.

Deputies discovered during this case the suspects had damaged and removed over $10,000 worth of copper. Deputies and Property Crime Detectives were able to recover several 30 foot long sections of copper wire which weighed approximately 500 pounds. Both suspects made admissions to stealing large quantities of copper during the past year. The suspects said they would steal the copper and either burn off or strip the plastic coating on the wire so they could sell it in Tucson.

BHP Mine has reported that it has cost them several hundred thousand dollars to replace and repair the stolen copper during just the past year alone.

Victor Gutierrez and Mark Jimenez were both booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for Trafficking in Stolen Property, Burglary, Aggravated Criminal Damage and Possession of Burglary Tools. Victor is being held on a $20,000 bond and Mark is being held on a $2,500 bond.

To comment on this article and others  visit the Copper Area News Facebook or send us an email at CBNSun@MinerSunBasin.com

admin (8132 Posts)


Facebooktwitterby feather
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

Comments are closed.

  • Additional Stories

    Miner grapplers prep for sectional tournament

    February 5th, 2014
    by

    By Andrew Luberda San Manuel Miner The San Manuel Wrestling team has been preparing for the postseason by competing against […]


    Miner grapplers prep for sectional tournament

    February 5th, 2014
    by

    By Andrew Luberda San Manuel Miner The San Manuel Wrestling team has been preparing for the postseason by competing against […]


    Sea Lions compete in Yuma’s Polar Bear Plunge Meet

    February 5th, 2014
    by

    Over the weekend of Jan. 24-26, the Sea Lions Swim Team competed at the Polar Bear Plunge Swim Meet at […]


    Postseason is next for Lady Miners after successful regular season

    February 5th, 2014
    by

    By Andrew Luberda San Manuel Miner The San Manuel girls’ basketball team boasts a record of 21 – 5 heading […]


  • Additional Stories

    New gate at First Baptist Church

    February 5th, 2014
    by

    Greetings to all of you from the people who are the First Baptist Church of San Manuel. We are placing […]


    Miner cagers lose in home finale

    February 5th, 2014
    by

    By Andrew Luberda San Manuel Miner The Miners boys’ basketball team was handily defeated by the Ray Bearcats last Thursday […]


    Manny Ruiz makes another Hall of Fame

    January 29th, 2014
    by

    By John Hernandez Superior Sun Manny Ruiz has received many honors for his accomplishments as a coach as well as […]


    Miners’ Smith wins championship at Salpointe Invitational

    January 29th, 2014
    by

    By Andrew Luberda San Manuel Miner San Manuel Miners’ wrestler Colten Smith won the championship at the Diego Gadea Salpointe […]


  • Copperarea

  • Southeast Valley Ledger