Hill was arrested after neighbors on Davis Street called the police to report an unknown man had just broken into an empty house and emerged carrying some copper pipes.
Oscar HillSPRINGFIELD - Police arrested a 47-year-old city man Thursday, charging him in connection with the theft of metal pipes from an vacant house on Davis Street in East Springfield.
Oscar D. Hill of 108 Lawton St. was charged with breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, destruction of property and larceny in excess of $250.
Hill was arrested after neighbors on Davis Street called the police to report an unknown man had just broken into an empty house and emerged carrying some copper pipes, said Sgt. John Delaney, aide to Police Commissioner William Fitchet.
The neighbors gave police a detailed description of the man and his Volvo station wagon.
Officers Mark Kenney and Thomas Douglas of the ordinance squad drove to R&R Industries on Rocus Street to see if someone matching that description had gone there to sell the pipes. When the arrived, Hill was still there, having just sold a batch of copper pipes for $201.
He was taken into custody, and police confiscated the metal, his payment from R&R Industries, and his car.
At his arraignment Friday in Springfield District Court, Hill denied the charges. He was ordered held in lieu of $2,500 cash bail. He is due back in court on June 7.
Delaney gave credit to the neighbors who called the police after noticing suspicious activity. “It was a great job by the public and police.”
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