Stolen Copper Brings 18-Year Sentence For Pea Ridge Man

Friday, September 13, 2013

BENTONVILLE — A Pea Ridge man was sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing thousands of dollars worth of stolen copper.

Daniel Ray Hutchek, 33, pleaded guilty Thursday to theft by receiving, a Class B felony. The plea was under an agreement attorney Sergio Barron reached with Carrie Dobbs, deputy prosecutor. Hutchek faced a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years.

Hutchek was arrested Aug. 3, 2012. He was one of a group of people arrested in connection with stealing copper from Strateline Industries, 400 W. New Hope Road in Rogers.

The business caretaker discovered July 31, 2012, the building had been broken into, damage had been done and a large amount of copper wire and cable had been stolen, according to court documents. Keith Foster, public information officer for Rogers Police, previously said a police report stated tools and computers were stolen along with the copper. The property owner listed the damages and the value of the stolen items at $937,250, Foster said.

Police discovered multiple items at the crime scene, including a jug of sweet tea, according to court documents. The tea jug was in the electrical room where most of the copper wire had been removed, according to court documents. Police, using UPC codes on the tea and another jug of water also found at the scene, went to the Walmart Neighborhood Market on South Eighth Street and learned the items had been bought there, according to court documents.

Police obtained video from the store that led them to Hutchek, according to court documents.

Police also found Hutchek had been involved in numerous copper sales, according to court documents.

Hutchek sold about 934 pounds of copper at USA Metal Recycling and received $2,755 on July 30, 2012, according to a probable cause affidavit. Police learned Hutchek had made other copper sales.

Circuit Judge Brad Karren accepted the plea agreement and Hutchek’s guilty plea. Hutchek was sentenced to 18 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He must abide by a suspended sentence for two years after his release. Hutchek must pay $100,000 in restitution and $1,620 in court costs.

Chatwin Tell Earnest, 33, of Rogers pleaded guilty in July to theft by receiving for possessing stolen copper in the case. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution.