With the value of copper on the rise, as with anything of monetary value, an industry of crime often is spawned and that has been happening recently in the tri-state area.

However, the most recent target was close to a law enforcement entity itself.

A break-in Wednesday has led Kentucky State Police to arrest two Greenup County, Ky., residents in connection with a series of copper thefts in the surrounding area - including the KSP tower, located on Beauty Ridge in Greenup County.

Charles Rodney Greene, 44, of Flatwoods, Ky., and Michael A. Dinger, 28, of Worthington, Ky., both were charged with two counts of theft by unlawful taking items valued at up to $300.

Trooper Shannon Jones arrested Dinger on Sept. 20, after he discovered the KSP tower had been burglarized.

Jones said a large amount of copper was stolen from the tower. He then arrested Greene on Monday for the same charge.

Both suspects also were linked to a tower that had been broken into on Old Wilson Creek in Carter County, Ky., on Wednesday, where several items, primarily copper, were stolen.

Trooper Elliott Gollihue charged both suspects for the theft from Old Wilson Creek on Wednesday.

Authorities are investigating whether Dinger and Greene are responsible for other cell phone towers being burglarized in the local areas of Greenup, Lewis and Carter counties.

Gollihue said additional charges are pending while the investigation continues.

FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.