Grand Jury indicts three accused of telephone wire theft

Three Vicksburg residents, Christopher Hayes, 34, Amy Hearn, 28 and Joseph Smith, 34, have been indicted on charges of malicious mischief for cutting and stealing telephone wire for the copper content.

Christopher Hayes (Photo by David Day)

The phone wire is owned by AT&T and cost around $4,000 to replace, enough damage for a felony level offense.

Amy Hearn (Photo by David Day)

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace stated the cutting of the telephone lines creates a risk to residents who rely on land-line service. Disconnection of the line would prevent anyone from being able to call authorities in an emergency.

Joseph Smith (Photo by David Day)

“We just really want the message to be that if anyone is out here stealing this wire, they are going to be charged based on the financial injury to the company,” Sheriff Pace said.