A 43-year-old man yesterday was ordered to stand trial for copper theft after undercover officers arrested him as he allegedly tried to steal wiring at the city's West Loch Golf Course in 'Ewa.

Diamantino S. Reis is accused of taking more than 1,800 feet of copper wire from the golf course this month, causing more than $26,000 in damage, city prosecutors said.

Police said Reis is one of a half-dozen people suspected in several copper thefts in Leeward and Central O'ahu.

A task force dedicated to investigating copper thefts comprised of undercover Honolulu police officers and state deputy sheriffs investigated the case, police said.

Reis was arrested Sept. 12 by undercover officers who were watching the 10th hole at the city's West Loch Golf Course at 91-1126 Okupe St. in 'Ewa after golf course officials reported two copper thefts between Sept. 8 and 11.

Reis was caught after he and another man were seen cutting copper wire in an electrical box near the second tee, according to police.

Police Detective Greg Bentosino testified in Honolulu District Court yesterday that Reis told him he stole 1,881 feet of copper between Sept. 8 and 11, while accompanied by other men, using bolt cutters and a screwdriver.

The total damage caused by the thefts was $26,716, according to the city.

Reis and an accomplice would pull the wire out of electrical fixtures and drag it into a van parked along Fort Weaver Road, the detective said.

Bentosino testified that Reis and an accomplice sold the copper to a recycler in Halawa on two occasions and received a total of $3,000 for their haul.

No recycler broke the state's new copper purchase law because Reis was able to forge the required documents, police said.

Reis is charged with two counts of copper theft and one count of first-degree criminal property damage.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.