Alert resident helps catch alleged copper thief

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — An accused copper thief is in the Lake County Jail thanks to an alert resident.

Robert Kalinowski was arrested after Clermont police said they linked him to at least 15 copper thefts in the Heritage Hills community.

Last week, someone stole copper ground wiring from the homes, which makes the property more vulnerable to lightning strikes.

The resident said he had a conversation with Kalinowski and thought something was not right. The resident then called police.

Police said Kalinowski told them he worked for a company and had permission to be in the neighborhood. However, officers said Kalinowski confessed to the crime.

In July, Oviedo police arrested Kalinowski and another man on charges of stealing dozens of back-flow valves, which protect drinking water from contamination.

WFTV