FAU DB Cortez Ash charged in copper wire theft
By Marcus Nelson
Updated at 5:47 p.m. FAU redshirt freshman Cortez Ash was taken into custody by the Indian River County Sherriff’s Office over the weekend and is a suspect in the theft of 400 pounds of copper wire, Scripps Treasure Coast newspapers reported on its web site Monday.
Citing IRSD affadavits, the newspaper reported on TCPalm.com that Ash and another individual returned to the same scrap yard where they allegedly stole the copper wire, valued at $1.260, a few hours before and tried to sell it.
Security cameras show two individuals at Indian River Scrap in Vero Beach stole a large amount of scrap metal around 3:15 a.m. on Saturday.
A few hours after the theft was reported, Ash (shown here in his booking photo obtained by TCPalm.com
) and another man allegedly showed up at the site and attempted to sell the metal back to them, the paper reported.
The business owner said he recognized Ash and Donovan Roberts from the surveillance video and called 911.
Roberts told detectives he acted alone in the theft, but police took Ash and Roberts into custody.
Both Ash and Roberts were charged with burglary of a business, third-degree grand theft and dealing in stolen property. The paper said Ash was released on $7,500 bail.
Ash, a graduate of Sebastian River, red-shirted last season but received extensive playing time in the spring. He is expected to compete for playing time this fall as redshirt freshman.
FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger responded to Ash's arrest late Monday afternoon.
“Naturally, I’m disturbed to hear about the arrest of one of our freshmen football players,” Schnellenberger said in a statement. “Needless to say there is much more to be done in the investigation. We will follow the proceedings closely and will determine what actions should be taken.”