Beckham County, OK – The Beckham County Sheriff's Office is investigating a suspected burglary involving stolen copper after deputies responded to a suspicious person call at a rural property.

According to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning, deputies were dispatched after someone reported suspicious activity at a residence. The reporting party was either the property owner or someone watching the property for the owner.

As deputies arrived, they located a vehicle leaving the property and made contact with its occupants. During the investigation, deputies discovered items they believed could be connected to a burglary involving stolen copper.

"We located the vehicle as it was leaving and did find some things that may be suspicious," Manning said. "I think we're working a burglary case on that involving some stolen copper."

Manning said copper theft continues to be a recurring problem in Beckham County and across the region.

"People are still stealing copper to clean it and sell it," he said. "There are people still out there buying it. As long as there are people buying it, there'll be people stealing it to sell."

The sheriff said many of these thefts are believed to be connected to illegal drug activity.

"Most of that goes toward drug money and methamphetamine, especially around here," Manning said.

The investigation remains active and is being handled by one of the sheriff's deputies. No additional information has been released at this time.

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