Three people are in jail after police said they stole copper from a Mesquite church.
Police said two officers were on routine patrol shortly before 4 a.m. Wednesday when they spotted two men stealing copper from air conditioning units at the Family Cathedral of Praise Church on Windbell Circle.
When the men saw the officers they fled into a nearby wooded area, police said. After a short time, and with the assistance of air units, the men were located and arrested.
At about the same time, officers found a woman hiding inside a pickup truck in the church's parking lot.
Three people, 31-year-old Robert Chubb, 21-year-old Tarah Robinson and 26-year-old Brandon Dorsett were arrested and charged with criminal mischief over $20,000 and theft of copper under $20,000.
Damage to the church is estimated at $60,000, police said.
