In the late evening hours of May 17, 2011, Front Royal Police arrested David Allen Bowden, 19, of Front Royal in reference to the theft of copper wire from the Town of Front Royal Electric Department. The arrest was a culmination of teamwork between personnel in the Detective Division and Patrol Division of the police department.

Due to the high volume of copper theft in the region, police personnel were conducting surveillance at the electric department in the 500 block of East 6th Street when they observed Bowden shoot out an exterior light with a pellet gun, cut pieces of barbed wire from a fence and enter a secured parking area of the electric department. Once entry was gained, Bowden removed several spools of copper wire from service trucks in the lot and attempted to leave the area with the copper when confronted by police personnel. Bowden was apprehended in the area after a short foot chase by officers. Bowden has been charged with two felony counts including Grand Larceny and Larceny with the Intent to Sell or Distribute. He is also charged with two misdemeanor counts including Criminal Trespass and Destruction of Property. Bowden is currently being held at the Warren County Jail with no bond pending court proceedings. Anyone with additional information in relation to this offense is encouraged to contact Detective Jason Lethcoe with the Criminal Investigations Division at 540-636-2208.

– From a release