In Central Texas, a man broke into the former KCEN news building to steal nearly $100,000 in copper wiring

BRUCEVILLE-EDDY, Texas (KWTX) – A Bruceville-Eddy man was arrested Nov. 2 after breaking into the former KCEN News building to steal copper wiring, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Kelley Earl Wood, 56, is charged with criminal mischief, burglary of a building, copper theft and probation violation.

According to testimony, the Bruceville-Eddy Police Department first became aware of the burglaries on Sept. 23 after receiving a call from the Bruceville-Eddy Travel Center contractor about a break-in at the former KCEN News Station located at 314 IH 35. Front Road.

An officer was dispatched to the building on September 23, where the contractor walked the officer around the exterior and interior of the building.

Allegedly, exterior air conditioning units were damaged when someone removed copper materials from the machine, exterior electrical panels cut copper wiring, and numerous ceiling tiles were damaged when the suspect gained access to the ceiling to remove copper wiring. and interior electrical panels were damaged by cutting copper wires. The officer was also shown evidence of a sliding door being forced open and a vehicle being driven into the building.

Total damage to the building was estimated to be around $100,000, according to testimony, and the incident occurred around Labor Day, Sept. 2.

The same contractor contacted the Bruceville-Eddy Police Department again on Oct. 16 to report another burglary at the former KCEN News building. The contractor allegedly stated that a pair of bolt cutters was located at the scene and that the bolt cutters were connected to the wiring in the interior electrical box. The sliding door was also reported to have suffered further damage.

Allegedly, on October 16, game cameras were placed outside and inside the building with the permission of the contractor and the building owner.

The last entry would be recorded on Oct. 30, around 4 p.m., when cameras captured two men arriving at the building on a red and white motorcycle, the affidavit continues. Officers recognized one of the suspects as Wood because they had previously encountered the man at his home. Wood was seen carrying a red drill, according to testimony.

Surveillance footage from game cameras showed Wood and the other suspect not leaving the building until around 6:32 p.m.

According to testimony, an officer toured the building around 4 p.m. on Oct. 31 and found what were believed to be air conditioning components containing cut copper pieces and copper tubing. The officer also found a red Milwaukee cordless drill in the building, similar to the drill Wood was carrying in the video captured by game cameras.

After receiving a request for prosecution from the building owner, officers were dispatched to Wood’s home in the 200 block of Grinder St. at approximately 5:26 p.m. to take him into custody. It was also revealed at the time that Wood had three previous convictions. At the time of his arrest, Woods was on probation with a scheduled release date of Feb. 22, 2030, and was wearing an ankle monitor.

Wood was not home when police arrived, according to the affidavit, and a man identified as Raymond Terry, 36, stated that Woods was working at a home in the 110 block of Archie Lane. Officers were able to locate Wood and arrested him.

Upon further investigation, Terry was allegedly the other suspect who entered the KCEN News building with Wood on Oct. 30 and was discovered to have outstanding warrants, according to the affidavit. Officers were sent back to the Grinder Street home to arrest Terry, but Terry had left the home before they arrived.

Wood is currently being held in the McLennan County Jail on bonds totaling $340,000 on various charges. However, he will be held without bail on the parole violation charge.

Terry’s location is unknown at this time, but the affidavit alleges that Terry is currently serving an eight-year probation sentence following four previous convictions for criminal mischief, evading arrest or detention in a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and theft of property . Above $30,000 and below $150,000.

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