Roanoke Rapids man arrested in copper theft

Roanoke Rapids, N.C. — A Roanoke Rapids man was caught while trying to steal copper wiring from under a house on North Carolina Highway 48, police said.

Halifax County deputies arrested Reginald Lawrence Blanding, 51, on Friday. after a short foot chase. He was carrying a hammer and hand tools, police said.

Blanding is charged with breaking and entering, possession of burglary tools, injury to real property and resisting a public officer.

Blanding was being held under a $6,000 bond in the Halifax County jail on Sunday.

His next court date is Dec. 7.