HPD makes arrest in case of copper theft


On Monday, February 21, 2011, officers of the Henderson Police Department responded to 327 W. Young Avenue in Henderson in reference to a suspicious subject.

Officers arrived and located an individual on the side of a residence. The suspect fled. After a short chase, he was able to elude officers. Returning to the scene, officers found that the suspect had dismantled two air conditioning units. Witnesses indicated that the suspect had been seen going in and out of the basement of the residence as well. It was found that copper pipe had been removed from beneath the residence.

While conducting an investigation in the area, officers were dispatched to 1019 Hargrove Street in Henderson in response to a residential alarm. Officers found that the basement door was unlocked. While conducting a neighborhood canvass, officers learned that the suspect had also allegedly entered the garage of another resident at 938 Hargrove Street.

Further investigation identified the suspect as Robert Thomas Speed, 47, of 307 Zene Street in Henderson. Later during the day, officers spotted Speed walking in the 700 block of Chestnut Street. Speed was taken into custody without incident.

Robert Thomas Speed
Robert Thomas Speed

Speed was charged with two counts of felonious breaking and entering, one count of misdemeanor larceny, one count of injury to personal property, a false report to a police station, and resisting a public officer. Speed was placed in the Vance County Jail after failing to post a $45,000 secured bond. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 21, 2011.