Thieves suspected of stealing copper wire from railroad right-of-way

A utility pole with cut wires dangling from it, following the suspected theft of copper wire near Modena, Iron County, Utah, Aug. 23, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff's Office, St. George News

IRON COUNTY — Authorities are investigating the reported theft of copper wire from Union Pacific Railroad property west of Modena, a remote town in western Iron County.

A damaged utility pole following the suspected theft of copper wire near Modena, Iron County, Utah, Aug. 23, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

Iron County Sheriff’s Lt. Del Schlosser said two male suspects were spotted Thursday by a train conductor cutting strands of wire from utility poles along the railroad’s right-of-way, between railroad mile markers 505 and 506.25. Two strands of wire approximately 1.25 miles long were reportedly cut from the poles and taken from the scene in a black pickup truck by the two men, Schlosser added.

The estimated value of the stolen copper is approximately $17,000, Schlosser said.

Railroad workers spotted the suspects’ vehicle leaving the scene heading east on state Route 56. From there, it is believed to have gone south toward Enterprise and St. George. Based on the vehicle description, a possible suspect was identified, Schlosser said, adding the case was sent to Union Pacific Railroad Police for further follow-up.

Union Pacific Railroad spokesman Justin Jacobs said Monday railroad officials couldn’t yet comment about the case other than to say it is under active investigation and an officer has been assigned to the case.

Trespassing on railroad property is both dangerous and illegal. Anyone who sees suspicious activity near railroad tracks is asked to call the railroad’s 24-hour public hotline at 1-888-877-7267 (1-888-UPRRCOP).

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.

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4 Comments

  • LunchboxHero August 27, 2018 at 11:11 am

    With any luck, they’ll OD and this is the last we’ll hear from them. Junkies and low-lives, strike again!

  • tazzman August 27, 2018 at 1:26 pm

    Stealing copper wire. Gee, I wonder what they’ll do with that?

  • Larry August 27, 2018 at 9:42 pm

    Not very bright…don’t think you want The Pinkertons on your trail…I saw in a movie where Kate Warne would just shoot them and throw the bodies off the nearest Railroad Trestle.

  • RVer August 28, 2018 at 6:46 am

    That area is pretty far out there, so they most likely didn’t think they would be seen. This is another group that LE will hopefully catch soon, unless they try that with some high-voltage lines first. That would be sad. Very, very sad. I might pause for a moment, before I laughed.

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