Police in North Middleton Township arrested four people in connection with several copper thefts during the past year.

Bobbie Clutteur, 18, James Furley, 23, James Vrzick, 19 - all of West Virginia, and Carl Hearn, 34, of Newville, were part of a theft ring which operated in several states, according to police.

Detective Tim Lively said three of the four suspects were caught at a construction site near the Army War College in Carlisle. Lively said the suspects were carrying bolt cutters and gloves.

"We brought them back to the station," Lively said. "I interviewed two of the subjects who are cooperating and they indicated they were involved in stealing copper."

Lively said police seized two vehicles that were used in the copper theft ring. He said metal stolen in Cumberland County crossed state lines to be sold.

"I know the state police had some investigations that led them to these people and to locations in Maryland," he said.

The four suspects were placed in the Cumberland County Prison after failing to post bail.

Police are investigating whether unsolved copper thefts in the area could be linked to the group.

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