The Griffin Police Department on Tuesday arrested two men, Terreance Smith, 26, and Demarcos Smith, 21, who are brothers, in connection with several burglary and theft of copper cases.

“Sgt. Dwayne Hancock had been investigating cases involving property crimes at 523 N. Hill St., 529 N. Hill St. and 532 Moore St.,” said Cpl. Bryan Clanton, GPD spokesman. “The residences were vacant when 26-year-old Terreance Smith and 21-year-old Demarcos Smith burglarized them to strip the houses’ copper piping and copper wiring. One of the houses still had water service and the duo removed the piping amidst spraying water. All together the total monetary value of the damage they caused was more than $10,000.”

“My first lead was generated by a concerned citizen. This citizen observed suspicious activity in the area and gathered enough information that assisted me with identifying the suspects,” Hancock said. “A major part of clearing cases involves law abiding citizens helping when they can.”

Clanton said the first arrest occurred when Terreance Smith arrived at Bare Metal, a local recycling facility, and attempted to sell the allegedly stolen property.

“The employees of Bare Metal contacted the Police Department to notify them that they were suspicious of Smith,” Clanton said. “Patrolman Shaun Carr was the first officer on the scene and Smith attempted to flee on foot. However Carr, a former Marine, pursued the suspect and apprehended him in the immediate vicinity. The arrest of Terreance Smith led to the arrest of his brother and accomplice, Demarcos Smith.”

Both men are currently being held in the Spalding County Jail, charged with multiple counts of burglary and criminal damage to property.

Officials say Hancock is also now investigating to determine if the suspects may have been involved in similar crimes which have occurred within the city.