A San Antonio man faces charges including felony copper theft after being found with stolen wire on a ranch, according to the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office.
ATASCOSA COUNTY, Texas — A 52-year-old San Antonio man is in custody following a reported copper theft at a ranch in Atascosa County, according to the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said a large ranch located off FM 541 near McCoy reported that someone had cut through a high fence and entered the property. Investigators were told copper wire had been removed from electrical equipment connected to four pump jacks.
A few hours after the report, a nearby resident contacted authorities about a suspicious person in the same area, according to the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies located a man walking nearby.
The sheriff’s office said the man was carrying copper wire consistent with what had been reported stolen, along with tools believed to have been used to cut it. During a roadside interview, the man admitted to the theft, according to authorities.
Investigators said the suspect initially provided a false name and date of birth. A live scan conducted at the jail later identified him as Shannon Mobley, 52, of San Antonio. The Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office said Mobley also had an active burglary warrant out of Bexar County.
Mobley was charged with criminal mischief with cattle, felony theft of copper and failure to identify as a fugitive, according to the sheriff’s office. He remains in the Atascosa County Jail.