‘Career criminal’ sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing copper pipe and wire at hotel

WARNER ROBINS — A man who the District Attorney’s office called a career criminal was sentenced for theft in court recently. James Ray Clower, 53, pleaded guilty to five counts of burglary in the second degree after attempting to steal metal from a Ramada Inn. 

Clower also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of tools for the commission of a crime on June 24 in the Superior Court of Houston County. He was sentenced to 20 years, with the first 10 to be served in prison, according to a media release. He had multiple previous theft convictions.

According to court documents, on May 7, Clower attempted to steal metal from the Ramada Inn located at 2024 Watson Boulevard. The hotel was going through renovations at the time of the offense. 

Warner Robins Police Department officers were dispatched to the hotel. Once they entered the hotel room, they found Clower actively attempting to cut metal out of the room’s walls, specifically copper pipe and wire. He falsely claimed he worked for the renovation company. Officers discovered that Clower had cut metal from five different rooms, and he had numerous metal-stealing tools with him. Court documents say he had gloves, knives, a pipe-cutting tool, a duffel bag, a flashlight and a bucket.  

According to a press release, the investigation was led by Officer John Jump of the WRPD. Clower was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Mike Smith of the Houston Circuit D.A.’s Office. 

Smith thanked WRPD for their efforts in bringing what the DA’s office described as a “career criminal” to justice. 

“Our local businesses and community members should feel free to operate in our community without having to worry about criminals literally stealing the metal out of the walls of their businesses,” Smith said in a statement. 

Edwards echoed Smith’s comments, saying the defendant was caught in the act thanks to WRPD’s quick response. If officers did not arrive when they did, the property owner wouldn’t have known who caused the damage, he said

Edwards also said career thieves do not simply steal property but impose significant financial burdens on local businesses and the communities they serve. 

“In this case, the defendant was cutting metal out of the walls of a building under renovation in an effort to profit from scrap value, causing damage far beyond the value of the metal itself,” he said in a statement. 

Edwards said repeat offenders who make a living victimizing businesses and property owners should expect substantial prison sentences and the district attorney’s office will continue to seek justice.