Chicago man arrested for taking copper wire from Elk Grove firm

A Chicago man was ordered held on $50,000 bond Saturday on a theft charge lodged after police say he was caught rolling a massive coil of copper wire to his car outside an electrical company in Elk Grove Village.

Authorities say Ramon Torres, 39, of the 4400 block of West Altgeld in Chicago, was spotted by witnesses rolling the coil through the parking lot of the Wigdahl Electric Co. at 625 Pratt Blvd., Elk Grove Village.

He was arrested by police after loading the coil into the van.

Torres was held on a $50,000 bond after a court appearance in Rolling Meadows Saturday morning.

Assistant State's Attorney Lesley Gool said they've seen "increased cases of that," with thieves trying to resell the high-priced copper at scrap yards.