(The Kansas City Star posted the following article on its website on February 9.)
KANSAS CITY — Two Gardner men were charged Tuesday with the theft of a few thousand dollars worth of copper wire — a theft that caused big problems for a railroad last weekend.
As many as 45 trains were affected Saturday after the wire was taken from the electronic system that regulates traffic along double tracks between Gardner and Wellsville, said Steve Forsberg, a spokesman for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.
Railroad workers had to switch to a manual system, which caused significant delays until the wire could be replaced, Forsberg said.
On Tuesday in Johnson County District Court, prosecutors charged Terrence L. Petrey, 45, and his brother, Timothy L. Petrey, 43, with felony theft. Both asked for court-appointed attorneys.
Terrence Petrey was released later Tuesday after posting a $2,500 personal recognizance bond, but a judge denied Timothy Petrey’s request for such a bond. Court records showed that Timothy Petrey already was free on bond in two domestic violence cases in which prosecutors seek to revoke his probation.
Their next hearing on the theft charges will be Feb. 17.