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Gene Kennedy reportingStealing wire from old power lines caused a small fire up Big Cottonwood Canyon.
The Salt Lake County Sheriff's office says two men were cutting down and taking wire from old, dead power lines.
It all happened around 2am in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Investigators have discovered that the two suspects had a pretty elaborate plan.
The suspects were in the Birches Picnic area with equipment to climb the power poles. They were cutting down old dead power lines and one of the sections fell on a live line, sparking a fire.
Fortunately, the fire didn't spread throughout Big Cottonwood Canyon. Still, it took fire fighters four hours to put it out.
Investigators say copper power wires are a common target, because you can recycle them at salvage yards without having ID.
Sgt. Paul Jaroscak, Salt Lake Co. Sheriff's Office: "Bottom line is, it's money. They are getting about $2.50 a pound. If there is a way for you to get that metal, then it is a quick way to make easy money."
Investigators say 29-year old Justin Sandoval and 30 year old David Bennett had more than 10,000 pounds of wire in the back of their truck. The two face felony charges of criminal mischief and theft. They are being held at the Salt Lake County Jail
Rocky Mountain Power tells Eyewitness News that this has become a persistent and increasing problem; not only for the utility company, but also for various businesses and contractors. Officials also say the thieves are lucky they were not electrocuted.
