LAUREL, Miss. – Daniel Applewhite, 46, of Morton, was arrested Wednesday on felony charges after selling stolen copper phone lines to a local scrap yard, police said.
The Secretary of State’s office discovered large amounts of stolen telecom wiring being sold to L&D Scrap. Laurel Police Department Investigator Josh Welsh explained that AT&T helped identify the copper as stolen phone lines.
“We talked to L&D Scrap about their wire sources,” Welsh said. “Later that day, Applewhite returned with another large quantity of copper wire. That’s when the scrap yard alerted us, leading to his arrest.”
LPD Captain Michael Reaves noted the phone lines were stolen from poles, with insulation burned off to extract the copper. This not only causes significant replacement costs for phone companies but also disrupts consumer services.
“The consumer ends up paying through possible rate increases to cover repairs,” Reaves said.
The Secretary of State’s office has been involved due to the statewide scope of such thefts. “Thieves are traveling across Mississippi to steal telecom wiring,” Welsh added.
Recent reports showed multiple arrests related to similar copper thefts in Perry County’s Richton area, with damages estimated between $100,000 and $500,000 over the past year.
Reaves urged the public to report any suspicious activity near phone lines. “If you see anyone on poles who doesn’t appear to be an official utility worker, call authorities immediately.”
Applewhite was released on a $5,000 bond set by Laurel Municipal Judge Kyle Robertson.
