A Troy man accused of stealing 7,000 pounds of copper wire along with welders and welding guns from ITW-Hobart Brothers pleaded guilty to felony theft April 2 in Miami County Common Pleas Court.
The stolen copper was valued at more than $30,000, while the welding equipment’s value was placed at just over $5,000, according to Troy police reports.
Matthew Welty, 28, who was employed by Hobart at the time, was accused of entering the company’s Corporate Drive facility after work hours and helping roll spools of wire to a waiting vehicle.
He also was accused of stealing welders and welding guns from the company and selling them on eBay.
Police said the copper wire was taken either by the spool or first cut to scrap yards in Bradford and Piqua and sold for scrap.
Welty said he was not involved in scrapping the copper, but was paid part of the proceeds by a second man accused in the crimes.
Clinton J. Mers, 25, of Troy has pleaded not guilty to one felony count of receiving stolen property alleging he knowingly disposed of stolen property valued at more than $7,500 but less than $150,000. That charge was handed down by a county grand jury in February.
The thefts occurred between July 14 and Oct. 11, 2013.
Welty waived a grand jury’s consideration of the allegations against him and pleaded guilty.
As part of a plea deal, Welty agreed to cooperate with investigators and to make restitution, defense lawyer Ralph Bauer told Judge Christopher Gee.
Janna Parker, assistant county prosecuting attorney, said an agreement had not been reached on the amount of restitution Welty will need to make although values of stolen property were listed in police reports.
Two counts of theft initially were filed but, as part of the agreement, Welty pleaded to one count. Restitution will be sought on both charges, Parker said.
Welty could be sentenced to 18 months in prison. A presentence investigation was ordered. His sentencing is scheduled May 19.
Gee continued Welty’s recognizance bond on the condition Welty does not leave the state or change his address.