APOPKA, Fla. — Mikael David Williams of Apopka and David Eugene Fryer of Montverde were arrested for grand theft early Sunday after they were caught trying to steal copper wire from light poles along the Florida Turnpike.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), troopers responded to a call at 1:15 a.m. on Sunday about two men attempting to steal copper wire from a light pole near mile marker 277. The caller, later identified as the superintendent of a company that installs light poles, used a thermal imaging drone to spot the suspects. The victim, who had experienced thefts of $30,000 worth of copper wire in the area over the past few months, recorded a video of Williams and Fryer walking between light poles, attempting to access the electrical hatches.
When troopers arrived, they found Williams in the driver’s seat of a Toyota Tacoma, while Fryer was near the truck. The officers intervened before the two could retrieve the copper wire from the hatch. The trooper investigating the area found keys on top of the electrical hatch with a tool attached, which Williams claimed as his.
Further investigation revealed that the area the men were in was located just south of the last reported theft. The stolen copper wire was valued at approximately $1,000, and the tools found in the truck were consistent with those used to facilitate copper theft.
Both Williams and Fryer were charged with grand theft from a posted construction site and were transported to the Lake County Jail. They were later released after posting a $2,500 bond each.
