Suspects Charged With Stealing Copper Wires From Progress Energy Poles

Largo police charged James Michael Burns, of Clearwater, and Travis Anthony Farinella, of Tarpon Springs, with theft and criminal mischief after they were seen cutting wires from Progress Energy poles.

Officers responded to a call at the 1800 block of Juanita Court in Largo where witnesses saw Farinella, 25, and Burns, 29, walking through the neighborhood cutting copper wires around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, said Lt. Mike Loux.

According to officers, the subjects attempted to leave the area in a vehicle, but patrol officers stopped them.

Once arrested, officers found the suspects' backpacks were filled with copper wires that were used as grounding wires for the Progress Energy poles.  The damage done to the poles is estimated to be $20,000, officials said.

They were arrested and charged with felony criminal mischief, theft and violation of probation.