ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A man’s footprints in fresh snow led to his arrest Friday in connection with a wire theft scheme, authorities say.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged Jerry Sims, 52, with two counts of stealing ($750 or more) and first-degree property damage in the investigation.

The arrest followed a report of a suspicious person at a Fenton business. When authorities arrived in response, they found several holes cut in a fence around the business, then followed footprints in freshly fallen snow.

The footprints not only led police to Sims in a wooded area, but also two rolls of wire that had been dragged through the snow. Investigators determined that Sims’ boots matched the tread of the footprints found near the fence and wire.

According to a probable cause statement, following his arrest, Sims admitted to cutting holes in the fence and dragging wire with the intent to steal it. However, he allegedly claimed that his “morals” stopped him from taking the wire any further.

Police estimate the value of the two wire rolls dragged outside the business at $2,750.

Authorities investigated a similar theft at the business several days earlier, involving tools and climbing equipment that was valued around $4,000. Sims claimed he had “staged” the property, though someone else ended up stealing the items.

Following his arrest, Sims was booked into jail in St. Louis County on a $50,000 cash-only bond.