Red Lake OPP Catch Copper Thief

Provincial Police have charged a copper thief in Red Lake.

Last week,a business owner contacted police and said that a man was seen on the premises and removing material that containted copper.

A search warrant was executed and police located the suspect a short time after at his home, where they found a total of 860 lbs of copper wiring as well as an insecure firearm. .

Police say 79-year-old Gerard Desmarais has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime, theft under $5000, unsafe storage of a firearm and unauthorized possession of a firearm.