(The following report appeared on the Fresno Bee website on July 25.)
FRESNO, Calif. — Samuel Wade Harner, 34, was booked Sunday into the Madera Correctional Center on suspicion of grand theft, vandalism and other charges after nearly 600 feet of wiring was stolen along Union Pacific Railroad tracks.
Overhead wires that control movements of trains through Madera were severed and removed, Madera County sheriff’s spokeswoman Erica Stuart said. Union Pacific officials put the cost of repairs at several thousand dollars. The theft also caused some train delays.
The thefts were noticed early Sunday near Avenue 16 and Highway 99, Stuart said.
Harner was arrested after a foot chase and deputies recovered bolt cutters and stolen wire, she said.
Harner, who is on parole for possession of a controlled substance, remains jailed. He also is facing charges of interfering with a power line.