Homeless charged with stealing copper wire from vacant home

It’s a growing epidemic sweeping the U.S. and now it hits close to home.

A couple of career criminals caused total destruction, all for $240 worth of scrap metal, according to North Bergen Police Sgt. David Dowd.

Copper is such a hot commodity, a township man and woman – went after the metal anywhere they could find it… a vacant home on Durham Avenue.

Daniel Aquino, 32, and Diedra Cook, 38, both homeless caused more than $15,000 worth of damage.

Aquino used a vice grip wrench to rip copper pipes out of the kitchen, bathroom and basement.

“We’re concerned for the citizens of this town,” Dowd says.

Aquino was charged with burglary, theft, conspiracy to commit burglary, criminal mischief, hindering apprehension and possession of burglary tools.

Meanwhile, his co-conspirator Cook was charged with burglary, theft, conspiracy to commit burglary and hindering apprehension.

Bail was set at $72,500 for Aquino and $55,000 for Cook.

They remain in the Hudson County Jail.

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