Alleged Copper Thief Arrested in Vacant House in Trenton

Trenton police arrested a man after finding him in the basement of a vacant house allegedly stealing copper pipping at about 6 a.m. Nov. 24 in the 5000 block of Montfaucon Street.

Lance Michael Waske, 27, was arraigned Nov. 25 before an out county judge and his bond was set at $2,500 cash.

He is charged with breaking and entering, which is a 10-year felony. He is being charged as a habitual offender due to a prior felony conviction.

Trenton police officers were checking on the vacant house several times throughout the night due to recent break-ins in the area when one officer noticed a basement light on and an opened side gate.

Officers found a brass door knob from a side door on the ground and called other officers to the scene including a K9 unit.

Officers also found a large black bag containing several pieces of copper inside the house.

A K9 police officer entered the house and went into the basement. Waske was found hiding behind a furnace and a water heater.

Waske was arrested and transported to the Trenton Police Station where he was processed and held. He is currently being held at Wayne County Jail.

Sgt. Mark Enright of the Trenton Police Department said Waske might be responsible for at least five other break and entering cases in Trenton.

"It was a great job by the officers who were giving special attention to the area," Enright said. "It was good police work that lead to the arrest."