Police: Thief sells copper for $75; replacement bill is $4,200


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Brandon Frazier
Brandon Frazier

SALT LAKE CITY — A South Salt Lake man has been charged with removing all the copper pipe and water lines from a Salt Lake City apartment in early July, leaving the resident with over $4,200 in replacement costs.

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A neighbor told police that she saw a man removing copper pipe from the apartment, and when she confronted him, he left on a bicycle. The neighbor later identified Brandon Phillip Frazier, 29, from a police photo lineup, according to charges filed in 3rd District Court Tuesday.

Frazier later sold 29 pounds of copper to a scrap metal recycling company for $74.90, according to police. An estimate to replace the plumbing came to $4,231.

Charging documents do not indicate if the copper that was allegedly sold accounts for all the copper that was taken from the home.

Frazier is charged with second-degree felony burglary, and theft and criminal mischief, which are both third-degree felonies.

Written by Ladd Brubaker with contributions from Andrew Adams.

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