Police arrest six in theft of metals from vacant buildings

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has filed criminal charges against six people it says were part of a metal theft ring that targeted vacant commercial buildings in Indianapolis and Anderson.

Investigators believe the group burglarized four properties in Marion County and one in Madison County, causing $282,000 in damage.

Jimichael Parker, 37, received at least $72,000 between April 2011 and April 2012 after selling stolen copper and other valuable metals to Circle City Metal Recycling LLC at 1428 W. Henry St. in Indianapolis, prosecutors said.

Five others individuals divvied up $156,000 over that year as part of the same theft ring.

In all, the group stole almost 70,000 pounds of metal, according to the prosecutor.

After his Sept. 28 arrest in Memphis, Tenn., Parker told investigators he targeted mostly empty buildings in remote locations, including:

— 2800 N. Richardt Ave., Indianapolis;

— 8405 E. 30th St., Indianapolis;

— 1801 E. 30th St., Indianapolis;

— 5346 Pike Plaza Road, Indianapolis;

— 2902 Enterprise Drive, Indianapolis.

Officers in Memphis arrested Parker on a warrant on Sept. 28. He awaits extradition.

Parker faces four Class C counts of burglary, one Class D count of filing a false income tax return and a Class C count of felony corrupt business influence, among other charges.

Class C felony convictions in Indiana carry prison sentences of two to eight years, with maximum fines of up to $10,000. Class D felony convictions call for sentences up to three years, with additional fines of up to $10,000.

The prosecutor’s office has filed Class D charges of  felony theft and false income tax return against Parker's peers: Anton Harris, 27, Antwoine Harris, 27, Gerald Joyce 30,  Clinton Skinner, 36, and Courtney Parker, 30.