North Dakota Copper Theft Suspect Faces Felony Charges

A Minot, N.D., man faces four felony charges after allegedly trying to steal $26,000 worth of copper from a Dickinson business.

Authorities allege 34-year-old Philip Poppell broke into Border States Electric over the weekend and tried to take two spools of copper electrical wire. KXMB-TV reports that he’s accused of causing about $14,000 in damage to the wire and to a fence on the property.

Poppell is charged with burglary, theft, giving false information to law officers and hindering them. He also faces a misdemeanor criminal mischief count. He could face up to 26 years in prison if convicted on all of the charges.

Court documents do not list an attorney for Poppell. He’s due in court Jan. 5.