Pair Arrested After Allegedly Caught Red-Handed Stealing Copper in Rancho Mirage

Two people were arrested for allegedly stealing copper cable from a electrical hub in Rancho Mirage Monday.

Around 3:15 a.m., Riverside County sheriff's deputies on patrol saw a suspicious vehicle parked behind a commercial building near Bob Hope Drive and Highway 111 and arrested 42-year-old Gregory Strahl of Temecula when he tried to run from the area, sheriff Sgt. Andy Martinez said.

"The officer determined that Strahl and a female occupant of the vehicle, identified (as) Loueenia Skgelstad, 43, of Menifee, were in the process of removing heavy-gauge copper cable from within an electrical room that distributes electricity to numerous business suites within the complex," Martinez said.

Strahl and Skgelstad were arrested on suspicion of burglary and booked into the county jail in Indio.

"Copper theft is a serious offense plaguing our communities and the Rancho Mirage Police Department will maintain a high level of proactive patrols in an effort to identify and apprehend those offenders," Martinez said. 

– City News Service contributed to this report.