GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Three men are facing multiple felony charges after an investigation into widespread copper wire thefts spanning two North Carolina counties, authorities said.
The Gaston County Police Department, in collaboration with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, uncovered a “criminal network” responsible for stealing thousands of dollars worth of copper wire belonging to AT&T. The suspects are also accused of stealing wire from Foss Recycling in Gastonia earlier this month.
In a coordinated operation early on October 28, police arrested Justin McNeely, 38, and John Carpenter, 43, both of Bessemer City, along with Joshua Robinson, 39, of Shelby.
McNeely faces five counts of felony larceny, seven counts of possession of stolen goods, six counts of injury to utility wires, six counts of obtaining property by false pretense, and six counts of felony conspiracy. He is held at the Gaston County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
Carpenter is charged with felony larceny, possession of stolen goods, injury to utility wires, four counts of obtaining property by false pretense, and four counts of felony conspiracy. His bond is set at $25,000.
Robinson faces five counts each of felony larceny, possession of stolen goods, injury to utility wires, obtaining property by false pretense, and felony conspiracy. He remains in the Cleveland County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
Authorities say the joint investigation remains ongoing as they work to determine whether additional suspects were involved.
