New Kensington, PA -- New Kensington Police have arrested more than a half of a dozen of people accused of breaking into a building and stealing copper wire. 

New Kensington Police received information that people were entering the Citizen's General Hospital near Industrial Boulevard in an attempt to remove metal from the property. 

Over the course of several days, New Kensington Police filed charges against at least eight people who were found inside of the building and in possession of stolen copper wire.

Since May 24, 2026, police have charged Brittany Baits, Trace Jackson, Samantha Cragle, Anthony Paolillo, Howard Morris, Steven Yagle, Benjamin Walker, and Gerad Ogershok. 

Officers made multiple stops at the property to clear the building and found several of the defendants with copper wire, cutting tools, drugs and drug paraphernalia, along with damage to the building. 

One of the defendants told investigators that there was word on the street that the old hospital property was loaded with copper and people from all over were coming to New Kensington to take the metal. 

The defendants are facing charges related to burglary, criminal trespass, theft, possession of instrument of crime, receiving stolen property, theft of secondary metal, and drug-related offenses. 

Disclaimer: To the extent that pending criminal matters are discussed, all such charges are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.