A Magnolia man was arrested March 14 in connection with a copper theft that reportedly caused a power outage that affected more than 1,000 area residents.

Byron Wayne Powell, 26, was arrested and charged with Theft of Copper, a state jail felony.

On March 14, a Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputy noticed that wiring had been pulled down from a telephone wire near the intersection of FM 149 and Adams Lane south of Magnolia. The officer spotted several people hiding in the woods near the site.

After giving chase, deputies found Powell hiding in the woods where he surrendered peacefully and cooperated with authorities.

Cutting tools were found in the area, as well.

The Sheriff’s Office is conducting a follow-up investigation to determine if other suspects can be identified.

AT&T work crews were on the scene March 15 repairing the damaged lines and working to restore phone service to those in the area who were affected.

Another copper theft incident occurred on March 10, when two men were arrested in the 30000 block of Meadow Edge on charges of Theft of Copper and Evading.

With the escalated costs of copper, the South Montgomery County area has battled problems with copper thefts for years.

Above, An AT&T crew man works to restore phone service after utility lines were damaged during an attempted copper theft March 14.

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