AVALON – A trio of alleged copper thieves have been arrested with more to come, according to police in Avalon.

The borough and the county Prosecutor’s Office worked together to nab a group of 20-somethings cops believe are responsible for a series of cooper thefts carried out over the past several months.

Avalon police went undercover to nab the precious metal pickpockets. Cops said they ran into several suspicious individuals during their string, mostly near 53rd Street. Canines from the Sheriff’s Department found several homes damaged after cooper wires were yanked from crawl spaces.

One property suffered water damage because the supply was still active when the home burglarized.

Arrested were Leroy Lashley, 26, an unemployed plumber from Burleigh. He’s been charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief and theft.

Also arrested was Elizabeth Camp, 27, of Court House, charged with burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary, and Ashley Johnson, 20, of North Cape May, charged with burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary.

The Prosecutor’s Office said additional homes in Cape May Point, Lower Township, Middle Township, Sea Isle City and Stone Harbor were also targeted for copper.

Avalon Officers Jeffrey Christopher, David Glassford, Sean McNair and Tim Beal worked the case with Cape May County Sheriff’s K-9 Officer Eric Teasenfitz and Det. Matthew Leusner of the Prosecutor’s Office.

Residents are urged to check their seasonal homes for damage and to report any suspicious activity.