WENTZVILLE, Mo. – A Lincoln County man will appear in St. Charles County Circuit Court this week for allegedly stealing and damaging several thousand dollars’ worth of copper wiring in Wentzville.
According to the Wentzville Police Department’s probable cause statement, the theft occurred June 3 along the railroad tracks around Main Street and Hilltop Drive.
Police located Gregory P. Barron in an area belonging to the railroad and marked with “no trespassing” signs. Barron had wire cutters and bolt cutters in his possession, as well as a backpack containing freshly cut portions of copper wire and additional wire fashioned into a makeshift sling.
Police searched the railroad property and discovered freshly cut wire attached to a plastic utility box. Investigators contacted the business that owned the copper wire. A business representative told authorities the wiring was damaged beyond repair and would cost approximately $5,300 to replace.
In a post-arrest interview, police said Barron admitted that he intended to scrap the wire.
According to police, said Barron is a convicted felon with several prior arrests and has failed to appear for court dates in prior criminal cases.
The St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Barron with stealing – $750 or more and first-degree property damage. Barron remains jailed on a $25,000 cash-only bond.