Man accused of stealing copper from church construction site

A man is accused of stealing copper from a construction site at a church, according to police.

Palm Beach police said Leon Primus, 48, took copper from a construction site he was working at on Dec. 26 at The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, 141 South County Road.

He was arrested Tuesday.

According to an arrest report, a church employee saw Primus at the construction site by himself on Dec. 26. She became suspicious because she knew the construction workers had taken time off over the holidays. Police said the woman recognized Primus as one of the construction workers who had installed gutters earlier in the week.

When Primus saw her, he played it off like he was on the clock.

"Looks like we are the only ones working today," he told her, according to the report.

Officers found out Primus had sold about $4,000 worth of copper later that day, netting about $160.

He is charged with burglary, grand theft, dealing in stolen property and false verification of ownership. He is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail in lieu of $26,000 bail.

View post:
Man accused of stealing copper from church construction site