Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies who noticed a vehicle parked in front of a fire hydrant last Friday later arrested three people who are allegedly part of a copper theft ring.

About 9:00 last Friday morning, Sheriff’s Deputies were working in the North Memphis area taking note of people who were selling copper wire to a scrap metal business.

During the past several months, Deputies have investigated several copper wire thefts from new homes under construction in the unincorporated areas of Shelby County.

Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office General Investigation Bureau and ALERT Squad (Area Law Enforcement Retailers Team) have linked the stolen copper to salvage businesses in Memphis and other nearby cities.

During their surveillance last Friday, Deputies noticed a 1999 Ford Mustang parked in front of a fire hydrant near the 500 block of Weakley Street. The car’s license tag was checked and the plate was registered to another vehicle.

Investigators questioned two people in the car who said they were in the area to sell copper. The driver, Ruthie Rose, 61, of Memphis, voluntarily allowed Deputies to look inside the trunk of the vehicle.

Officers found thousands of dollars worth of new copper wire, two five-gallon buckets filled with burnt copper wire and two empty wire spools.

After talking with Rose and the man with her, Willie Smith, 53, of Memphis, the two were taken to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning.

Later Friday afternoon, Deputies went to American Electric at 3651 Cherry Road and arrested another person, Larry Campbell, 51, of Memphis. Investigators believe Campbell stole the almost 250 pounds of wiring from the business and then recruited Rose and Smith to sell the wire at scrap yards.

Sheriff’s Deputies say last Friday’s arrests are part of an on-going investigation about copper wire thefts throughout Shelby County. Sheriff’s detectives are working with employees at salvage businesses and the Memphis Area Home Builders’ Association to combat copper wire thefts in Shelby County.

Larry Campbell has been charged with Theft of Property-$10,000-$60,000. Ruthie Rose and Willie Smith have been charged with Theft of Property over $10,000.