Williams Senteced to 10 years for Copper Theft at Lowe’s

State Attorney Bill Eddins announced today that on Friday, October 19, 2012 Bobby Kevin Williams was convicted of Grand Theft and Failure to Appear by a Santa Rosa County jury and sentenced by Circuit Judge Marci Goodman to 10 years in the Department of Corrections.

Williams went to the electrical department of Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Pace on February 17, 2011 and asked for 130 feet of copper wire, which was valued at $465.40.  The 48 year old Milton man then covered the price tag with another one that he wrote which indicated that the wire was priced at $12.00.  After changing the tag, Williams went through the check out and paid a total of $12.78 for the wire.  Lowe’s loss prevention officers stopped Williams after he left the store and notified the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Williams admitted to the deputy that he had done something wrong and was arrested for Grand Theft. He subsequently failed to appear for court on two separate dates and was charged with the Failure to Appear.  Williams had 206 prior felony convictions, most of which were for theft related offenses.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Angela Liles.  For further information, please contact ASA Liles at 981-5524.