A Weldon man who was caught allegedly stealing copper from under a vacant house was arrested Tuesday, according to the Weldon Police Department.

A relative called the property owner and asked if anyone was doing work on the house, located on Willow Street, Captain James Avens said. The property owner told the relative to call the police.

Avens responded and called the sheriff’s office for assistance, deputies Emerson Carroll and Justin Keeter responding, along with Keeter’s dog, Brody.

While investigating, Markee Jamar Parker came out of the woods on Sycamore Street, got in his car and fled.

Avens apprehended Parker at his house on Eleventh Street. He was charged with breaking and entering, damage to property, felony larceny and possession of stolen goods.

Parker, who had just got out of jail last week on other charges, was jailed on $7,000 bond — $2,000 secured on the copper theft charges and $5,000 cash for a probation violation.

Avens said there are several metal thieves working in the area targeting vacant houses. The police department’s fear is they may soon target occupied houses, going under them to cut wires to get the copper.

That poses a danger to the suspect and the homeowner, “Especially if you hit the right gas line,” Avens said.

Parker faces charges by the sheriff’s office from a shooting in August where a 4-year-old child was killed when a gun was mistakenly discharged in the Weldon housing projects.

Parker, 18 at the time, faces charges of storing a weapon in a manner which is accessible by a minor and conspiracy. Derrick Mayo, 32, was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, storing a weapon in a manner which is accessible by a minor, conspiracy and simple possession of marijuana.