Police make arrest in copper heist

After a month of detective work, the State Police out of Ellenville think they've caught a copper mastermind. On Sunday, they arrested 46-year-old Bradley Snyder of Wawarsing for allegedly stealing stripping four Ellenville cottages of $19,000-worth of copper pipes.

The full press release from the State Police:

SP Ellenville - Copper Theft The New York State Police at Ellenville announce the arrest of Bradley Snyder, age 46, of 17 Lundy Rd. Wawarsing, New York, for Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, Felony following a month long investigation.

On October 10, 2010 the New York State Police at Ellenville responded to a larceny complaint at 1124 Briggs Highway, Ellenville, NY. The preliminary investigation revealed that someone had cut out a large quantity of copper plumbing and water lines from under four separate cottages on the property. The investigation revealed that approximately $19,000.00 of copper was stolen from the property. Investigators found that Bradley Snyder had been a employee of the owner of the properties in the past.

Further investigation revealed Bradley Synder had taken copper piping to a salvage yard in Sullivan County on several occasions selling the copper as scrap. On 11/07/10 Bradley Snyder was located and interviewed regarding his involvement with the missing copper. Mr. Snyder admitted to stealing the copper piping from the cottages and was arrested.

On 11/07/10 Bradley Snyder was charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, Felony, and arraigned in the Town of Wawarsing Town Court before Town Justice Charles Dechon where he was released without bail. Bradley Snyder is to reappear in the Town of Wawarsing Court on 11/12/10 at 8:30 a.m.