Joliet man charged with stealing copper from cell towers

Joliet police detectives apprehended a man charged with stealing copper from two Verizon cell towers.

The investigation that led to the arrest of Lawrence Lyman, 38, of Joliet began when officers responded on Oct. 15 to report of a burglary at a Verizon cell tower in the 900 block of Plainfield Road, according to court records and Joliet police Sgt. Dwayne English.

“Upon arrival, it was determined that a suspect had pried open the door of the tower building and stole copper ground bars and battery leads,” English said.

On Tuesday, officers responded to another burglary report at a Verizon cell tower in the 200 block of Southeast Frontage Road.

Once again, officers determined that a suspect pried open the door of the tower building, English said. A large amount of copper wire was stolen, he said.

“Joliet police detectives conducted an intensive investigation of these burglaries, and they were able to identify Lyman as a suspect in the two cell phone tower burglaries,” English said.

About 2:40 p.m. Thursday, detectives conducted a traffic stop on Lyman’s vehicle in the driveway of his Burbank Street residence, English said. Lyman was identified as the driver.

Lyman held an active Will County arrest warrant and another warrant from Chicago police, English said.

Detectives searched Lyman’s vehicle and recovered suspected heroin, English said. They also located items used in the cell tower burglaries, he said.

“Lyman was interviewed at the Joliet Police Department, where he indicated his involvement in the above listed burglaries,” English said.

Prosecutors later charged Lyman with burglary, theft, criminal damage to the steel entrance of the Plainfield Road cell tower and possession of a substance containing heroin, court records show.

Lyman was accused by prosecutors of stealing industrial products primarily composed of copper.

Judge Brian Barrett set Lyman’s bond at $100,000 and ordered him to stay away from all cell towers or any places with copper supplies, court records show.