Graves County Sheriff identifies suspect in copper theft

The Graves County Sheriff's Office has identified the suspect in the theft of copper from a construction site in Mayfield. 

Sheriff Jon Hayden said the suspect is 45-year-old Dennis W. Abbott Jr. of White House, Tennessee. Video of the suspect from the scene gave investigators a start, but video from a gas station in Benton gave them a clear image of the man, the vehicle, and the trailer full of copper wire valued at over $80,000. Search warrants and help from Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman got detectives the information to establish Abbott's identity. 

On Thursday, Sheriff Hayden and two detectives went to White House to try and locate Abbott. They were unable to find him, but with assistance from the White House Police, they did get information that Abbott does have theft on his criminal record and is said to frequent the Clarksville area and the I-65 corridor up into Simpson County. Detectives also believe he is with a woman suspected of being involved in the thefts.  

There are arrest warrants issued for Abbott charging him with theft over $10,000. Abbott is said to be driving either a silver 2003 Ford Escape or a 2011 Kia Optima. Both vehicles have Tennessee plates. 

Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is asked to call the Graves County Kentucky Sheriff's Office at (270) 247-4501, or the White House Tennessee Police Department at (615) 672-4915.