LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) arrested a Louisville man after being caught stealing wire from highway lights.
Jack Gibson, 44, has been charged with first degree criminal mischief, which is a felony.
"Officers did what they needed to do, and it made an impact on this particular crime that has become a problem in this city," said Assistant Chief Lt. Col. Donny Burbrink.
LMPD said someone called to report a man on a scooter wearing a brown work suit stealing wires on Adams Street early Wednesday morning.
Gibson's arrest came one day after the announcement of a city-lead task force created to to prevent, catch and prosecute people committing these crimes.
When officers arrived, they found Gibson sitting next to coiled wire with some type of "ratchet system connected to the wire." An arrest citation said the wire ran through a "man-sized" hole in a chain link fence and was still connected to a highway light pole.
According to police, the witness told LMPD they had seen Gibson pulling wire from the same location the day before as well.
Officers noted that Gibson was wearing construction gloves often used to protect someone's hands when stripping wire.
Burbrink said it's no surprise the arrest came so quickly.
"We're very happy when we have the support of the public that are giving us information," said Burbrink. "And we have seen the uptick in people giving us that since we did the press conferences earlier this week."
He added officers are aware of the problem areas and are increasing patrols in those areas.
A judge set Gibson's bond at $10,000. He will be back in court on Nov. 1.
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