Alleged I-95 Battery Thieves Arraigned

A pair of Melroe men accused of stealing batteries from electric message boards on I-95 in Wakefield were arraigned Monday afternoon.

Police have charged 46-year-old Sean Brogna and 54-year-old William Copson with malicious destruction of property, larceny, possession of a burglarious instrument, and conspiracy.

“The men were trying to look like they belonged there doing sign work, one was even wearing a fluorescent traffic vest,” said District Attorney Marian Ryan, in a press release. “[A] civilian’s actions in reporting what he saw led to these arrests and the recovery of 16 batteries.”

Police say Brogna and Copson were using wire and bolt cutters to remove batteries from Mass. DOT message boards on the afternoon of Sunday, March 22. The 16 batteries allegedly discovered in the back of their truck may be worth as much as $100 each.