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New alarm system helps catch copper thieves at former middle school

Posted at 4:43 PM, Feb 11, 2013
and last updated 2013-02-11 21:06:04-05

Elizabeth City, N.C. – Elizabeth City police captured two men stealing copper from the old Elizabeth City Middle School Sunday night after a new alarm system alerted them that thieves were in the building.

Police had initially responded to a break-in at the building Sunday afternoon around 3pm.  Copper piping had been cut from the air conditioning system and other items inside were broken and strewn about.

A portion of the school is leased by the Elizabeth City Pasquotank County Police Athletic League and is used by the Fraternal Order of Police as a “Haunted House” to raise money for youth projects.

After the initial break-in Sunday afternoon, police suspected the copper thieves would return and PAL volunteers purchased and installed a security system for the building.

The monitor alerted police that night, and officers arrested 23-year-old Lemeyon Clayshawn Walker and 20-year-old Tevin S. Walker climbing out of a second story window.

Both were charged with Felony Breaking and Entering, Possession of Burglary Tools, Possession of Stolen Goods, Injury to Real Property and 1st Degree Trespass and were scheduled to appear in Pasquotank County District Court on Monday.