A Purdy resident, Justin Todd Taylor, 45, was apprehended last week under suspicion of the crime of burglary and stealing.
On November 30, the Barry County Sheriff's Department conducted a follow up on a separate burglary at a building on State Highway 76 in Wheaton. Taylor was reportedly inside the building when officers went to investigate.
The officer reported a pile of electrical wires and copper tubing sitting in a chair in the building. There were also several machines in the building that appeared to have the electrical wires and copper tubing cut and removed.
Taylor allegedly admitted to making the pile of tubing and wires.
Officers reported Taylor entered the building unlawfully with the intent to steal the electrical wires and copper tubing from the machines. Taylor had previous burglary and theft convictions.
Taylor is charged with burglary in the second degree. He is currently held in the Barry County Jail in lieu of a $50,000 cash-only bond.