One man arrested in Elida burglary

A Roswell man was taken into custody Monday in connection with a commercial burglary at the wind farm near Elida reported on Friday, according to a Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office press release.

Michael Robertson, 50, of Roswell was arrested by Chaves County Sheriff’s Department officers after a Portales Police Department officer reported the license plate number on a vehicle with rolls of copper wire in the bed.

Robertson is charged with receiving/transferring stolen property in excess of $20,000 and tampering with evidence.

“The success of this investigation is the direct result of the attention to detail and cooperation by all of the law enforcement personnel involved,” said RCSO Chief Deputy Malin Parker.

Parker commended the officers and departments involved in the investigation, saying it was attention to detail and prompt cooperation that led to the arrest and recovery of the majority of the property.

RCSO deputies investigating the theft Friday learned Friday from officials with Mitsubishi Power Systems, which operates the farm, that power tools and copper wiring valued at approximately $40,000 were stolen from the facility. In addition, the burglars did an undetermined amount of criminal damage to the property.

After the Portales tip, deputies contacted Chaves County deputies, who served seven search warrants in Chaves County.

According to the news release, RCSO authorities are seeking further charges against Robertson and anticipate further arrests in the case.

“Copper wire theft can occur anywhere,” Roosevelt County Sheriff Darren Hooker said. “My office will continue to diligently investigate these crimes, and I urge the citizens of Roosevelt County to become involved and report any suspicious activity they observe.”

Robertson is currently being held in Chaves County Detention Center in Roswell.