Three men were arrested by Binghamton police in a span of less than four hours as a result of tips concerning possible copper thefts.

Authorities say 35-year-old Steven Knight was found by officers in the basement of a vacant house on Crary Avenue on the West Side. Knight was taken into custody around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. He was said to be using cutting tools to remove copper pipes. Knight was charged with burglary.

Police say a little over an hour later, officers were flagged down by someone who spotted a man near a vacant house on Walnut Street. They say 43-year-old Willie Brodus of Binghamton was discovered removing copper pipes in the basement of the house. Detectives say Brodus is linked to several Binghamton and Johnson City burglaries. He's being charged with several counts of burglary.

Shortly after noon, a South Side resident reported a suspicious incident on Pratt Court. Police say they spotted 34-year-old Deacon Savona of Endicott running from the area. Officers determined Savona had tried to enter a home. He was charged with attempted burglary.

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