Suspect Arrested with $300,000 Worth of Stolen Copper Wire

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Leitchfield police have arrested a 29-year-old man, Erkin Norkulov, and charged him with receiving stolen property worth over $300,000. Norkulov was found to be transporting 40,000 pounds of stolen copper wire in a semi-truck that had been tracked since going off-route on February 20th.

Why it matters

Copper theft is a persistent problem, with thieves often targeting construction sites, utility companies, and transportation infrastructure. This large-scale theft highlights the significant financial and logistical impact such crimes can have on businesses and the broader community.

The details

Police were alerted by Ohio County Dispatch that a semi-truck containing stolen copper wire was traveling east on the Western Kentucky Parkway. Leitchfield officers stopped the vehicle at the 108-mile marker and found Norkulov, a citizen of Uzbekistan, transporting the stolen goods. The copper wire shipment had originated in North Carolina and was destined for Illinois before being diverted.

• The incident occurred at 12:15 a.m. on February 21.
• The truck had been tracked since losing contact with the driver on February 20.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Norkulov was charged with receiving stolen property (more than $10,000, less than $1 million) and lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing to determine if any other parties were involved in the theft.