Three College Park Men Arrested in $3 Million Copper Theft Ring

Deputies arrested three men from College Park on Dec. 18 in connection with a multi-jurisdictional copper wire theft ring blamed for more than $3 million in losses, law enforcement officials said. The arrests capped an eight-month probe into repeated thefts at utility facilities across the region that disrupted operations and posed financial and safety concerns for communities.

The three suspects are Alexandru Constantin, 43; Cristinel Petrovici, 38; and Robert Ciucur, 29; all listed as residents of College Park. Each faces charges of grand larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny, and investigators said additional charges may be filed as the probe continues.

The operation that resulted in the arrests involved multiple agencies working together, including the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, the FBI, the Army Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Marshals Service. Authorities described the thefts as regional in scope, occurring at utility facilities across several jurisdictions, and said the coordinated response was necessary to identify suspects and disrupt the network responsible for removing copper wire from infrastructure.

For Prince George’s County residents, the arrests underscore a local connection to a broader problem that can translate into service disruptions, costly repairs and increased expenses for utilities and ratepayers. Copper thefts at substations, transformer sites and other utility facilities can interrupt power or communications services and create hazardous conditions for technicians and the public. The losses cited by investigators reflect not only the value of stolen metal but the labor and replacement costs inherent in restoring damaged systems.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to come forward. Detective Brown can be reached at 703-777-1021, and anonymous tips may be submitted to Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919. Law enforcement officials said the inquiry remains active and that further charges could follow as evidence is reviewed.

The arrests demonstrate the increasingly cooperative posture of federal, state and local agencies confronting thefts that cross jurisdictional lines. For residents, the case highlights the importance of reporting suspicious activity around utility sites and maintaining vigilance around equipment and haul vehicles that appear to be tampering with infrastructure. Local authorities will need to continue coordinating prevention and response efforts to protect critical services and limit the financial burden on the community.