Three arrested in cell phone tower, power substation thefts

Three men are now facing charges in connection with a string of copper thefts at a number of cell towers and electrical substations since December.

Gary Scott, 27; Mark Main, 23; and Robert Sweeney, 45; were arrested and charged with multiple counts of Grand Larceny, Criminal Conspiracy, Larceny, Malicious Injury to Telephone/Electrical Systems, and Possession of Tools capable of being used in a Crime.

The arrests came as a result of an investigation that began in December of 2012 concerning thefts from various cell phone towers and electric co-op substations in Clover, Sharon, Hickory Grove, York and Smyrna.

Deputies say there contacted by York Electric Cooperative on February 20 after grounding wires were cut at a substation on Green Pond Road in Clover. Police deployed a K-9 team that led them to a home where Scott and Main lived.

A search warrant led deputies to evidence related to a number of theft cases. A second search warrant led them to Sweeney’s home where detectives recovered wires and four large batters

Deputies say the trio stole left more than $22,000 in damages in nine York County cases.

The three are suspected in other cases in Charlotte and Gaston County.