Three Vicksburg residents charged with felony malicious mischief for theft of telephone wire

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Several local residents are being charged for cutting and stealing telephone wire for the copper content in Warren County.

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.  Pace stated one arrest was made several weeks ago and three more just this weekend.

“We’ve just launched a real all-out effort to get a handle on this in this area,” stated Pace.

Christopher Hayes, 34, Amy Hearn, 28 and Joseph Smith, 34, each of Vicksburg, have been charged with felony malicious mischief. Pace stated the phone wire stolen cost around $4,000 to replace, enough damage for a felony level offense.

“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.”

Each received a $10,000 bond and was bound over to Warren County Grand Jury. They are currently housed at the Warren County jail.