Prince Hayes, 62, a notorious NYC scrap metal thief, was arrested Wednesday after allegedly stealing copper wire from outside a Brooklyn scrap yard, despite being banned from the subway system for life due to previous copper thefts.
Caught in the Act
Hayes was caught stripping wire cable near Scrap King in Brooklyn around 1:30 p.m., police said.
✔️ He was in possession of stolen copper wiring
✔️ Some of the wire was from Brooklyn’s Hoyt-Schermerhorn subway station, violating his 2013 ban
✔️ He was also carrying a straw containing heroin
Hayes now faces multiple charges, including criminal possession of stolen property, criminal mischief, weapon possession, and drug possession.
A Repeat Offender
With 60 prior arrests, Hayes has a long history of stealing copper wiring from subway tunnels, often cutting live cables while trains passed—causing delays, costly repairs, and serious safety risks.
✔️ 2013: Banned from NYC subways after copper theft
✔️ 2016: Sentenced to two years in jail for endangering commuters
✔️ 2019: Arrested for stealing copper from the same scrap yard where he was caught this week
Copper wire, or “mongo” as it’s known on the streets, is highly valuable and often stolen from construction sites and train stations, according to police.
Hayes was awaiting arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court Wednesday night. Authorities hope this time, the penalty will be more than just another ban.
