The Nye County Street Crime Unit recently announced it broke up a copper theft ring that was stealing copper from the ABC Mill in Amargosa Valley.

The investigation into the regular thefts got under way after deputies arrested Richard Baxter June 30 for burglary related to the chronic pilfering.

The officers reportedly developed information that Baxter was part of a larger ring that was responsible for the burglaries.

The Street Crime Unit deputies placed the mill, located on Ash Meadows Road, under surveillance.

Last Friday morning, the officers reportedly saw a black, full-size van drive through the gate into the mill area, with its lights off, to a location from which copper had previously been stolen.

When the deputies approached, the two 27-year-old men allegedly inside the van, Lee S. Griffin and Christopher Nichols, attempted to flee but were ultimately caught.

The pair were booked a number of charges, including burglary, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy, and trespassing.

In addition, Griffin was booked on charges of driving with a revoked driver's license and Nichols was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bail is set at $12,979 for both.