Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Saint Albans Man in Optimum Copper Theft Investigation

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Saint Albans Man in Optimum Copper Theft Investigation

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office has charged David Steadman, 48, of Saint Albans, in connection with the theft of copper from an Optimum communications facility that left approximately 18,000 customers without internet and telephone service, as well as a separate commercial burglary.

On July 25, 2026, deputies responded to a report of copper being stolen from Optimum’s facility in Saint Albans. Surveillance footage captured two suspects removing copper from the location. The following day, deputies investigated a breaking and entering at Peerless Block & Brick in Saint Albans where several tools were stolen.

During the investigations, deputies identified Steadman as a suspect in both cases. Deputies also learned he was wanted on an active felony robbery warrant obtained by the Saint Albans Police Department. On July 28, 2026, deputies located Steadman, who fled on foot before being apprehended. He was arrested on the outstanding robbery warrant and later remanded to the South Central Regional Jail.

Following the investigations, deputies obtained additional warrants charging Steadman with Grand Larceny, Breaking and Entering, Destruction of Property, and Endangering Public Safety in the Optimum case, along with Breaking and Entering and Grand Larceny in the Peerless Block & Brick case.

The investigations remain ongoing, and additional charges or arrests may be forthcoming.

Anybody that is arrested is to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.