ECTOR COUNTY, TX (KWES) - One man is behind bars on several charges following an incident early Monday morning.
Justin Heard, 23, is charged with theft of copper and being in possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Ector County Sheriff's Office said they were called out to the 2100 block of West 39th St. in reference to an unoccupied vehicle parked along the roadway.
Authorities said they spotted a pair of bolt cutters, a used syringe and some latex gloves inside the vehicle.
We're told a search of the area was conducted and deputies found Heard walking in the area of 39th St. and Rasco Ave.
According to the report, Heard gave permission for authorities to search his pockets and they found gloves, a roll of electrical tape and cigarettes.
When Heard was questioned, he stated that his car had overheated and he was walking to a Stripes convenience store looking for a ride.
Authorities said due to the drug paraphernalia being found in plain view, deputies conducted a search of the vehicle and they found industrial size copper wire inside the trunk with fresh mud on the outer coating and wrapped in electrical tape.
We're told further investigation found an open gate at Nabor's Drilling Yard within walking distance of the car.
The report also stated that inside the yard, a fence had been cut and fresh drag marks were visible on the ground. Also, authorities found numerous feet of copper wire, two sets of large wire cutters and footprints that matched the boots Heard was wearing, just outside of the cut area.
Heard was later arrested and taken to the Ector County Law Enforcement Center.
