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Published: Thursday, Mar. 07, 2013 / Updated: Thursday, Mar. 07, 2013 03:20 PM

3 charged in copper theft that led to Clover power outage

The York County Sheriff’s Office has arrested three men they say are responsible for a February power outage in Clover after they stole copper wire from a York Electric sub station.

The men cut “grounding wires” at the Green Pond sub station on the night of Feb. 20, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

After the electric co-op reported the theft, the York County K-9 team led deputies nearly 1.5 miles to 111 Cloverleaf Dr. in Clover, home of 27-year-old Gary Lee Scott and 23-year-old Mark Allen Main, the release states.

After searching the home, detectives seized evidence related to several theft cases.

Information from the search also led detectives to search 3262 N. York St. in Sharon, home of 45-year-old Robert Keith Sweeney, the release states.

Detectives found cut wire connectors and four large batteries at Sweeney’s home, according to the news release.

Main, Scott and Sweeney are believed to be involved in nine theft cases in York County and also cases in Charlotte and Gaston County, N.C.

Police estimate that the men have stolen or damaged nearly $22,500 worth of property, according to the release.

Since December 2012, the sheriff’s office has been investigating copper thefts from various cell phone towers and electric co-op substations located in Clover, Sharon, Hickory Grove, York and Smyrna.

The York County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the case.

Anna Douglas 803-329-4068