Copper thefts net Lawton man over $14,000 and an arrest warrant, investigators say

The investigation of a series of copper theft from the American Electric Power (AEP)/PSO storage yard resulting in over $78,000 in losses and to a suspect police have become familiar with.

On Thursday, the Comanche County District Court issued a felony arrest warrant for Keith Allen Snyder, 45, of Lawton, for counts of conspiracy to commit copper theft and possession of stolen copper, records indicate. Due to two prior convictions, he faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the conspiracy count.

Lawton Police Detective Michael Arzola stated he began investigating the thefts from the storage yard, 119 NE 20th, on Nov. 9. The first theft was from Oct. 17 and the last reported on Nov. 3, the warrant affidavit stated. A vehicle containing Snyder’s identification was found on the property, according to Arzola.

The investigation led to several local scrap metal yards to look for a connection with the suspect. In all, 19 tickets between the yards where Snyder provided his identification and signed his name as well as being recorded on video were discovered, the affidavit states. The total amount lost by AEP/PSO was determined to be $78,023.89 and it was learned Snyder received $14,956.79 in the time frame of the thefts, according to Arzola.

It was also learned the Bare Bright Copper Cable sold to the salvage yards only exists in the power company’s storage yard and money received by Snyder tracked back to the weigh that was sold, according to the affidavit. Arzola spoke to the salvage yards’ managers who all claim they knew Snyder by face and name and believed the amount and grade of copper he brought in was abnormal for a person with no job, the detective stated.

Snyder has prior convictions in Comanche County from June 21 for second-degree burglary, and Aug. 15 for knowingly receiving or concealing stolen property, records indicate. Comanche County Detention Center records show he’s been arrested several times since 2017 for drug possession, burglary, possession of stolen property, destruction of property, trespassing and driving without a valid license.

A $10,000 cash warrant bond was issued upon Snyder’s arrest.