GLENDALE, Ariz.—A severed finger left at the crime scene helped police in Arizona arrest a man suspected of trying to steal copper wire.

An air conditioning company employee told Glendale police someone tried to steal the wire from his truck on Oct. 7.

The spool of wire—worth more than $300—had been pulled out about 20 feet from the truck, and what appeared to be a cut off finger was caught in the wiring.

Police retrieved the finger as evidence, and forensic technicians were able to match the fingerprint to 29-year-old Joshua Allen Goverman.

Goverman told detectives he lost part of a finger while working on a car. He was booked on suspicion of theft.

Authorities didn't know whether Goverman had a lawyer who could be reached for comment.