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Copper thief at it again in Waynesboro: Man arrested

Chris Graham

Reed, Charles William JrThe Waynesboro Police Department arrested a Waynesboro man over the weekend for attempting to steal copper from a city business.  The assailant, Charles William Reed Jr., was convicted in October 2014 of two felonies and four misdemeanors in Waynesboro Circuit Court for his part in a copper theft ring that stole over $20,000 of copper from Buckingham Branch Railroad in spring 2014.  Reed, 50 years old, faces three felonies and one misdemeanor charge from Sunday’s arrest.

On Sunday at approximately 5:40 p.m., officers responded to Development Company of America, 2000 South Delphine Avenue, for a report of a burglary in progress.  When officers arrived they found Reed behind a warehouse attempting to steal copper from an air conditioning unit.  Officers detained Reed who admitted to ripping apart the HVAC units to take the copper from them.  He told officers he needed the money because he was homeless yet officers found methamphetamine and several burglary tools in his vehicle.

Reed faces the following charges:

  • Petit Larceny/3rd or subsequent offense (f)
  • Possession of Burglarious Tools (f)
  • Possession of Methamphetamine (f)
  • Trespassing (m)

Reed is being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail.

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].