Workers at a Houston supply store have been credited with using forklifts to foil a suspected copper thief.
Houston police are investigating whether a man detained at Morrison Supply Company could be part of a copper theft ring.
KHOU-TV reported Tuesday that formal charges are pending against the man whose vehicle was blocked in Monday by forklifts.
Investigators said the man also pretended to be picking up copper for another company last weekend and fled with the metal that's coveted by thieves. Surveillance video showed the man at the store counter.
Company assistant manager Darrell Jarvis said he had forklifts pull in front of the suspect's vehicle the second time, pretending to get ready to load the copper.
Jarvis said workers instead blocked the vehicle as police were called.
