Cops: Three arrested in burglary attempt in Riverhead

Three copper thieves caught in the midst of a heist were arrested Wednesday afternoon after police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle downtown, Riverhead Town police said. 

Police responded to a Melene Avenue home at about 3:40 p.m. where they found a woman waiting in a running truck parked in the driveway with sections of copper water line piping in the bed of the truck, according to a report.

While interviewing the woman, police saw two men in back of the home with an oil burner, hot water heater and air duct materials in hand, police said.

Roshell Ross, 31, George Trent, 23, and Delshawn Moore, 35, all of Riverhead, were arrested and charged with second-degree burglary, a felony, police said.

Police said damage to the water lines filled the basement with water, heavily damaging the home.

Mr. Trent is due in court Jan. 6 to face a misdemeanor charge from a Nov. 24 arrest for a separate incident, according to online court documents. He was charged with criminal obstruction of breath in that arrest, records show.