DENVER -- A man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for helping steal copper and other metals from businesses in the metro area.

Attorney General John Suthers said Timothy Allan Nolan pleaded guilty for violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act. He was indicted by a grand jury in January for allegedly stealing nearly 33,000 pounds of metal from businesses in Denver, Longmont and Northglenn.

Suthers said those thefts caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage.

"Theft of copper has become a significant problem in Colorado and this case reflects the fact that law enforcement and the courts are reacting appropriately," Suthers said.

Another person, Todd Wallace Gay, also pleaded guilty in connection with the thefts and will be sentenced later this month.

Three other suspects -- Gary Duane Buechler, Sarah "Sally" Smith, and Nicole Renee Wight -- are set to go on trial in November for their alleged role in the thefts.