Two people have been charged after a neighbor allegedly discovered them stealing copper from a home in rural Platte County.

A man and young woman have been charged with breaking into a home on Second Creek Road in rural Platte County on March 21. Deric R. Wagner, 32, of Platte City and Kerstyn K. Rust, 17, of Platte City, face second degree burglary charges.

Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd in a news release said the pair were charged following an investigation by the Platte County Sheriff’s Department.

According to court documents, deputies responded on a call of possible trespassers in the 2600 block of Second Creek Road. The deputies allegedly found Wagner and Rust inside a home, stealing copper.

Deputies also recovered license plates that had previously been reported as stolen from an address in the 14000 block of Winan Road in Platte County, Missouri.

“The suspicious activity was called in by a neighbor,” said Platte County Sheriff Mark Owen. “Citizens reporting activity that is suspicious or that doesn’t look right is what helps law enforcement do our job.”

Wagner and Rust are both currently being held at the Platte County Detention Center in lieu of a $10,000 bond. If convicted, they each face up to seven years in prison.