The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney filed stealing and trespassing charges Friday against two Carthage men who allegedly stole more than $2,800 worth of copper cable on their first visit to Carthage Water & Electric and $3,500 worth of copper and tools on the second visit.
Warrants have been issued for the arrest of Jake Peterson (DOB 1982) and Thomas Morgan O’Connell (DOB 1967), with bond set at $10,000 cash only for both men.
From Peterson’s probable cause statement:
On November 11, 2024, Carthage Police Officers responded to Carthage Water and Electric Plant (CWEP) substation number two located at the intersection of Southside and Main Street, in the City of Carthage.
They advised over $2800 worth of copper cable was stolen. They advised they had a trail camera and provided images of the individuals who had unlawfully entered by cutting the fence and stealing items from the construction trailer.
On November 13, 2024, Carthage Police Officers responded to Carthage Water and Electric Plant (CWEP) substation number two located at the intersection of Southside and Main Street, in the City of Carthage. They reported they had videos of two individuals breaking into the contractor trailer again. They reported more than $3500 of copper and tools were stolen. They also located where the suspects entered into the fenced-in area. The total loss to repair the fence was $1200.
Carthage Officers subsequently identified the Co-Defendant to be one of the suspects via the provided security footage.
On November 13, 2024, Officers contacted the Co-Defendant when he committed a traffic violation on his bicycle. During the contact the Co-Defendant advised he did break into the substation and took the copper cable, however, he stated that Jake PETERSON took the tool to cut the cable.
The Co-Defendant advised he could go to PETERSON’S residence and retrieve the tool. Officers searched the Co-Defendant and followed him to PETERSON’S residence. The Co-Defendant entered the residence and one (1) minute later exited the residence with the stolen tool in question.
Officers contacted the Co-Defendant a few blocks away from the residence and retrieved the tool. A subsequent contact with CWEP and the contractors, B&L Electric, confirmed the Greenly “gator” cable cutter was theirs that was retrieved from PETERSON’S residence.
During a subsequent interview with PETERSON, he admitted to cutting part of the fence and entering into the secure area of the substation. He and the Co-Defendant then took several hundred feet of wire and the tool. He admitted to transporting the stolen goods to the Co-Defendant’s house and his house.
Originally appeared on The Turner Report
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