Friendswood police arrest man accused of stealing copper

Talbot Dickson

A Houston man is charged with theft for allegedly stealing copper wire from a Friendswood power station.

Friendswood Police say Talbot Dickson, 38, of Houston, was arrested at about 2:50 a.m. Friday in the 2600 block of FM 528.

Friendswood Police says a patrol officer spotted the man walking in the 2600 block of FM 528 at about 2:50 a.m. The officer says the man was wearing dark clothing, carrying a canvas bag and walking in the middle of the road.

As the Friendswood Police officer approached, the man allegedly dropped the bag and raised his hands. The officer stopped to talk to the man later identified as Talbot Dickson, 38, of Houston.

Police say the bag Dickson was carrying had copper wiring and bolt cutters inside. Officers say they found a fence had been cut at a nearby power station owned by Center Point Energy.

Investigators say they later determined that the copper wiring inside Dickson’s bag came from the AT&T tower on the power station site.

Friendswood Police arrested Dickson on a charge of theft. Officers say he is being held without bond until being transferred to the Harris County Jail on the felony.

Detectives are reviewing other reports of copper theft taken by area law enforcement agencies to determine if Dickson may have been involved.

Friendswood Police say the 38-year-old’s criminal history includes convictions for assault, theft and a narcotics violation.