Police: Copper Theft Arrest After Foot Pursuit

The following information is provided by the Manassas City Police Department. Where an arrest is mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction. More information is available at Manassas City Police online.

Officers arrested a man last weekend in a reported larceny in progress and discovered a large stash of copper piping, according to Manassas City Police.

Andrew Hembry, 50, of the 9700 block of Aspen Place, was charged with two counts of grand larceny, two counts of destruction of property, one count of obstruction of justice and one count of possession of marijuana.

At 5:30 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to a call at Pest Management Services at 8735 Quarry Road.

Hembry matched the description given to dispatchers. When he was confronted, Hembry ran on foot, leaving the duffle bag behind, according to police.

Officer were able to apprehend him hiding nearby. When the duffle bag was searched, police found a knife, marijuana, and 40 pounds of copper piping that matched the size of damaged pipes found on seven nearby air conditioning units.