Gainesville Police officers said they interrupted a copper theft in progress at a county facility this week.

Officer Chris Campbell responded to a burglary alarm call at 2318 Browns Bridge Road, a vacant building formerly occupied by Avita.

There, Campbell found Michael H. Roper, 47, dismantling the exterior air condition unit, according to the officer's police report. Eight copper pieces, a flashlight, pliers and kitchen knives were collected as evidence, officers said.

Roper of Gainesville taken to Hall County Jail and charged with criminal interference with government property, criminal trespass, theft by taking and possession of tools for commission of crime.