On July 1, 2010, two Lake City men were arrested and charged with stealing copper wire from a local business. At approximately 11:00 p.m., an observant and concerned citizen notified the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office that he had seen a subject climbing the fence at TAW Metals (3804 NW U.S. Hwy 41 North). The caller also described a suspicious vehicle that was parked near the fence. Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office were provided a description of the vehicle and began to search the area for it. Lt. Pete Spurlock found the suspect vehicle, a blue GMC pickup, on Lake Drive. The driver and passenger were questioned by Deputy Jay Swisher. The passenger, Kenneth Lee Owens, admitted to Deputies that he had climbed the fence at TAW Metals and threw copper wiring over the fence. The driver, Samuel Early Hollie, remained in the truck. Deputies were able to recover the stolen property in a wooded area off NW Olivia Ct., Lake City, FL. The stolen property was returned to TAW Metals and had a value of approximately $500.00. The quick action of the citizen witness was a major factor in this case being solved so rapidly and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office commends him for his actions.
Both men are charged with Burglary and Grand Theft. They were arrested and booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility, without incident, on $10,000.00 bond each.
Arrested:
[lightbox href=”https://columbiasheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Kenneth-Owens.jpg”] [image src=”https://columbiasheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Kenneth-Owens.jpg” height=150 width=150] [/lightbox]
1. Kenneth Lee Owens, 11/15/1982
557 NE Lake Drive, Lake City, FL
[lightbox href=”https://columbiasheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Samuel-Hollie.jpg”] [image src=”https://columbiasheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Samuel-Hollie.jpg” height=150 width=150] [/lightbox]
2. Samuel Earl Hollie, 03/15/1972
927 NW Olivia St, Lake City, FL
