Thief Steals Copper Cables Causing Nearly $350K in Damages

By James Bouligny, Aug 26, 2021

ODESSA, TX – After causing nearly $350,000 in damages to oil rigs by stealing cables of copper wiring, a Monahans man has been arrested.

According to the Ector County Sheriff's Office, David Hayes was arrested as he was trying to leave a drilling yard on Saturday. Hayes had the stolen cables, a cutting tool and the heroin on him when he was arrested.

Hayes has been charged with theft of regulated materials, resisting arrest, possession of heroin, and criminal mischief.

David Hayes allegedly cut the copper cables from generators from several different drilling rigs. The damage is estimated to cost $345,000.

His bond has been set at $62,500.

Hayes' arrest comes after a two month investigation by the Ector County Sheriff's Office Oilfield Theft section.

Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily

View Past Issues

The LIVE! Daily is the "newspaper to your email" for San Angelo. Each content-packed edition has weather, the popular Top of the Email opinion and rumor mill column, news around the state of Texas, news around west Texas, the latest news stories from San Angelo LIVE!, events, and the most recent obituaries. The bottom of the email contains the most recent rants and comments. The LIVE! daily is emailed 5 days per week. On Sundays, subscribers receive the West Texas Real Estate LIVE! email.