DATE: Tuesday, November 07, 2017
SUBJECT: Man Arrested for Stealing Copper Wire from Power Poles
RELEASE NUMBER: 2017-NR-072
CONTACT: Lieutenant Noah Robinson
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Evansville man for stealing copper wiring from utility poles.
On Tuesday, November 07, 2017 at approximately 7:50 AM a detective with the Evansville Police Department observed a man stealing wire from a utility pole near Mohr Road and Kuebler Road. The detective confronted the man, who then fled in his vehicle. Responding sheriff’s deputies caught up to the suspect and conducted a traffic stop near N. Saint Joseph Avenue and Orchard Road.
The deputy observed cutting tools and a bucket of copper wire within the vehicle. The suspect, who was identified as Michael W. Scott Jr., had a suspended drivers license and false license plates on the vehicle. An inventory of the vehicle prior to towing revealed approximately ten pounds of copper wire.
The Sheriff’s Office located ten utility poles in the area of the 7100 block of Wright Drive with freshly cut copper grounding wires. Each pole had approximately six feet of wiring missing. Vectren later confirmed the wiring found in Scott’s vehicle was the same wiring missing from the damaged poles. Vectren estimated it would cost $2500 to repair the damage to the poles (compared to the value of the stolen copper which was only $36.33).
Mr. Scott was lodged at the Vanderburgh County Jail with a $2,200 bond.
ARRESTED:
Michael W. Scott Jr. (pictured above), 44, of Evansville. Theft as a Class A Misdemeanor, Criminal Mischief as a Class A Misdemeanor, Criminal Mischief as a Class B Misdemeanor, Operating without Vehicle Insurance as a Class C Misdemeanor, Driving while License Suspended as a Class A Misdemeanor
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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