Man who allegedly stole 40,000 pounds of copper arrested in Grayson County

LEITCHFIELD, Ky. – An Uzbek man was arrested in Grayson County after allegedly stealing a transport vehicle hauling thousands of pounds of copper.

According to a release, the Leitchfield Police Department received a report of a stolen shipment of copper near the Western Kentucky Parkway on Feb. 21.

Communication with the vehicle was lost on Feb. 20, according to the victim company.

LPD says the transport vehicle was located after a traffic stop near the 108-mile marker on the parkway.

Investigators determined that the vehicle contained approximately 40,000 pounds of copper, according to the release. The approximate value of the copper is $300,000.

The suspect is identified as 29-year-old Erkin Norkulov of Uzbekistan.

Police say Norkulov initially stated that the trailer contained no materials.

Investigators say the shipment originated in North Carolina and was expected to arrive in Illinois.

“It is unclear when and where Norkulov came into possession of the truck and its contents,” says LPD.

The investigations remain active as LPD is speaking with company victims about other possible suspects.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is assisting LPD in its investigation.

Norkulov was charged with receiving stolen property $10,000 or more. He was lodged at the Grayson County Detention Center.