A man man who was stripping copper wire from a vacant house was spotted by a property owner and tracked by Colorado Springs police, officers said in a news release.
Police were called to the 2700 block of Arcadia Street at about 9:30 a.m. after the property owner reported his encounter with the thief. He told police that the thief had threatened him with a hammer before leaving on foot.
Police searched the area and found a vehicle with the hood up. Inside was a jacket matching a description given by the homeowner.
Jason Hawkins, 34, was found hiding nearby and arrested, police said.
He was booked into the county Criminal Justice Center and held in lieu of $25,000 bail.