Repeat Offenders Held On Copper Theft Charges

Two men, with a prior history of steeling copper, were caught again after they cut wire from an electrical pole on Van Zandt County Road 3224 Monday morning.

"Two white males were reported pulling up to a power pole and cutting the copper electrical wire," Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Chuck Allen said. "They (the suspects) put it in the trunk of their car and a description of the vehicle, the two males and a direction of travel was given."

Wills Point Police Officer Brandon Corbett stopped the vehicle in Wills Point on US Highway 80, and he and Allen located the copper wire and tools used to cut the wire in the back of the vehicle.

Gene Shackleford, 27, Wills Point, and Thomas Loving, 36, Lindale, were placed into custody and transported to the Van Zandt County Justice Center for theft of copper which is a state jail felony.

Allen said both men have an extensive prior history of copper thefts.

Because they have a history of steeling copper Allen said it would be left up to the District Attorney’s office whether or not to enhance the charges.

As of press time Shackleford and Loving were still awaiting arraignment.