Duo Charged in $80,000 Copper Theft from Gainesville's Historic "Old Terwilliger" School

GAINESVILLE, FL — A man and a woman have been arrested and face severe felony charges in connection with the theft of approximately $80,000 worth of copper from the historic "Old Terwilliger" school site in Gainesville.

The Alachua County Sheriff's Office and local authorities launched an intensive investigation after utility workers and historic preservation officers discovered extensive damage to the property. Investigators revealed that the suspects allegedly made unauthorized entry into the vacant school building over a period of days, systematically stripping the building's walls and ceilings of copper pipes, electrical wiring, and HVAC components.

The monetary impact of the heist is substantial. While the raw value of the copper itself is significant, the destruction left in the wake of the theft—including ruptured water lines, destroyed drywall, and compromised electrical panels—is estimated to cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair. The "Old Terwilliger" school, a local landmark, has been the subject of preservation efforts, making the damage particularly devastating to the community.

Key details of the police investigation include:

• Use of localized surveillance footage from surrounding properties to identify a suspect vehicle.
• Forensic evidence recovered from the point of entry and interior staging areas.
• Recovery of a portion of the stolen copper at a regional metal recycling facility.

Both suspects have been charged with grand theft, burglary of an unoccupied structure, and felony criminal mischief. They were booked into the Alachua County Jail, where they await trial. Authorities are reminding local scrap yard operators to report any suspicious or bulk sales of copper materials.