South Carolina sheriff: Copper wire theft led to internet outages, $50,000 in losses
By Graham Cawthon
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FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WJCL) — Authorities in South Carolina have made a second arrest in connection with the theft of copper wiring that authorities say caused internet outages and resulted in about $50,000 in losses.
Megan Rae Powell, 31, of Johnsonville was arrested Monday on 17 charges related to the theft, possession and sale of nonferrous metals, according to a Florence County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Copper wire allegedly sold to recycler Investigators allege Powell cut copper wires belonging to Frontier Internet near Johnsonville around July 8 and sold the material to a metal recycler in Hemingway.
The damaged cables disrupted internet service for Frontier customers, the Sheriff’s Office said. Investigators estimated the stolen wire’s value at approximately $50,000.
Powell faces one count of obtaining nonferrous metals and disrupting critical infrastructure, five counts of transporting or possessing stolen nonferrous metals, five counts of unlawfully selling nonferrous metals and six counts of damaging property to obtain nonferrous metals.
A co-defendant, 43-year-old Shawn Chapman Stone, was arrested July 16 on similar charges, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
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