Authorities Arrest Rooftop Copper Bandits; Suspects Caused over $1M in Damages

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ (Nov. 27, 2019)–Nov. 8, 2019 at approximately 2035 PM, Gloucester Township Police patrol officers located a suspicious male, later identified as

Rahjahn Waters

from Pine Hill, on the rooftop of

Commerce Square

1435 Blackwood-Clementon Rd, posing a New Jersey American Water employee servicing the HVAC units.  Investigation revealed the male removed copper coils from several rooftop HVAC units causing damage in excess of $140,000.

On Nov. 11, at approximately 3:45 PM, detectives were conducting enhanced police operations and follow up at

Commerce Plaza II

. Detectives located two (2) males, later identified as

Jason Hutzler

and

Moises Ambriz,

actively dismantling rooftop air conditioning units. The males fled on foot and utilized a rooftop hatch ladder in an attempt to evade police. Gloucester Township Police patrol officers established a perimeter containing the subjects and several Gloucester Township Police detectives apprehended the males after a brief foot pursuit.  Damage caused was estimated at $103,619.

On November 13, detectives from the Gloucester and Voorhees Township Police Departments launched a multi-jurisdictional investigation into a series of rooftop air conditioner thefts.  Information was developed from partnering detectives that the rooftop bandits were responsible for a similar incident in Voorhees Township at –

American Water

causing damage in excess of $1,000,000.

Waters

and an additional male,

Leon Dandy

, and female

Miranda Ulmer

, were charged with Burglary, Theft, and Criminal Mischief in connection with the Voorhees incident. Waters used materials stolen from this incident to pose an American Water employee in Gloucester Township on Nov. 8.

Rahjahn Waters

was charged with Theft (2

nd

degree), Criminal Mischief (3

rd

degree), Criminal Trespass (Disorderly Persons), Possession of Burglary Tools (Disorderly Persons), an Impersonation (2

nd

degree).

Waters

was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility pending a Central First Appearance in accordance with the New Jersey Criminal Reform Act.

Jason Hutzler

was charged with Criminal Mischief (3rd Degree), Resisting Arrest (4th Degree), Criminal Trespassing (Disorderly Persons Offense) and Possession of Burglary Tools (Disorderly Persons Offense).

Hutzler

was released pending a court appearance.

Moises Ambriz

was charged with Criminal Mischief (3rd Degree), Resisting Arrest (4th Degree), Criminal Trespassing (Disorderly Persons Offense) and Possession of Burglary Tools (Disorderly Persons Offense).

Ambriz

was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility pending a Central First Appearance in accordance with the New Jersey Criminal Reform Act.

Arrest: Rahjahn Waters

24 YOA 2600 block of Kenwood Drive Pine Hill NJ 08021

Arrest: Jason Hutzler

25 YOA 1100 block S. Merrimac Road, Camden NJ 08104

Arrest: Moises Ambriz

25 YOA 2200 block of Tall Pines, Pine Hill NJ 08021

Arrest/Voorhees: Leon Dandy

34 YOA 828 Blackwood-Clementon Rd. Pine hill NJ 08021

Arrest/Voorhees: Miranda Ulmer

28 YOA 500 block of Erial Rd. Sicklerville NJ (Winslow)

This collaborative investigation is the result of local police partnership and networking that led to the disruption of a serial theft crew.  Business owners are encouraged to inspect their air condition units during the off season to ensure they were not victimized by similar crimes.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certified Gloucester Township officers utilized the Gloucester Township Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to capture images of the destruction caused by the copper bandits.

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