Man charged with stealing copper wire in east Louisville caught by technician

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Another arrest has been made as Louisville Metro Police Department continues to crack down on copper wire thefts.

Brian Hampton, 44, was taken into custody on Thursday after an AT&T technician reported suspicious activity on overhead powerlines in east Louisville.

According to police, the technician noticed unusual movement while working in the area and saw Hampton actively tampering with the wire.

Officers responded to the area and arrested Hampton without incident.

During a police interview, Hampton admitted to other copper wire thefts.

He is charged with first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree criminal mischief - tampering with key infrastructure assets, two counts of trespass of key infrastructure assets, and theft by unlawful taking $1,000,000<$10,000,000.