SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Milton Man Arrested for Numerous Copper Thefts

A Milton man was arrested yesterday on charges stemming from five different thefts involving copper from air conditioning units in the Milton area. Jeffery Taylor, 33 years old, was being investigated by Santa Rosa County investigators after he had turned in scrap copper at a local metal recycling business in Milton . The copper that Taylor turned in was consistent with copper found in air conditioning units that had recently been vandalized and stripped for the copper inside. While conducting surveillance on Taylor , investigators observed him driving his vehicle, knowing that his driver's license was not valid. A traffic stop was made and Taylor was arrested for driving on an expired license. Taylor was then interviewed by investigators concerning five recent copper thefts. Taylor confessed to deputies that he was responsible for the thefts and also responsible for selling the scrap copper to Milton Iron and Metal in Milton , Florida . The locations of the thefts are listed below:

August 3 rd , 2008- 6600 block of Manning Road , Milton , FL (copper A/C lines from residence)

August 3 rd , 2008- Skateland, 6050 Stewart St. , Milton , FL (copper A/C lines from business)

August 14 th , 2008- Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Dogwood Dr. , Milton (copper A/C lines)

August 14 th , 2008- 1 st Assembly of God, Dogwood Dr. , Milton , FL (copper A/C lines)

August 24 th , 2008- Majestic Ministries Church , Dogwood Dr. , Milton , FL (copper A/C lines)

Taylor is currently being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $69,250 bond. His charges are listed below. A photograph of Taylor is attached to this email.

SUSPECT:

Jeffery Daniel Taylor, W/M, 33 years old

6400 Block of Skyline Drive , Milton , FL

CHARGES:

Criminal Mischief, 5 counts, 1 st degree misdemeanor

Petit Theft, 4 counts, 1 st degree misdemeanor

Grand Theft, 1 count, 3 rd degree felony

Dealing in Stolen Property, 5 counts, 2 nd degree felony

Burglary, 1 count, 3 rd degree felony

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net