Thieves charged with stealing copper wires from above Amtrak tracks
(The following story by John Henrehan appeared at MyFoxDC.com on July 14, 2010.)
NEW CARROLLTON, Md. Two local men have been indicted for stealing copper wires from the towers that run above Amtrak's right-of-way in Prince George's County.
Amtrak officials say the top most wire in their towers is basically a lightning arrestor. It is made of thick copper, which is valuable as scrap metal.
In February, an Amtrak track inspector encountered a man rolling up a length of copper wire, according to Amtrak Police Sgt. Ron Bason. The man was wearing a white hardhat and a high-visibility safety vest.
Something didn't look right to the Amtrak employee, so he challenged the man who then ran away, according to court documents. An investigation was launched.
Investigators believe someone climbed to the top of one of their towers, and used a hacksaw to cut the copper wire. The wire would fall to the ground, and the other end would be cut off at ground level, spooled-up, and taken away.
Two 50-year old men have been indicted: George Bridgewater, Jr. of Capitol Hts., Maryland and Ray Harvey Walker of Gallatin St., in NE D.C.
A source familiar with the case said detectives believe 28 different sections of wire were cut over a four month period in late 2009 and early 2010. A charging document says, "The wires are falling around the track and around other live wires. The wires being on the tracks could pose a substantial risk to the Amtrak trains and passengers."
The two men are charged with theft and conspiracy. State's Attorney Glenn Ivey estimated the men sold at least $19,000 worth of Amtrak copper before they were caught.
