Jacksonville, Fl — While utility crews are working hard to get power back on in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, two men have been caught apparently stealing a light pole.
In a photo given to News 104.5 WOKV, two shirtless men appear to be in police custody while a utility pole rests on top of an SUV.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has now confirmed the two men were trying to steal the pole.
These two were caught stealing a JEA pole just this morning! Citizens watching out and officers cleaning up = partnership! #Irma #JSO pic.twitter.com/q6VKOvPKuU
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) September 13, 2017
The incident report obtained by WOKV shows the two men- 46-year-old Victor Apeler and 42-year-old Blake Waller- were spotted taking a JEA light pole. The responding officer saw the spot on the Wonderwood Bridge where the pole was missing, and soon after saw a vehicle driving east with a large utility pole on the roof.
Apeler- who was driving- said he was moving the pole because it was laying on the ground close to travel lanes, according to the incident report. Police say he couldn’t answer why he didn’t just move the pole to the side or notify police or JEA. A witness told police both of the men were involved in loading the pole on to the SUV.
The pole is valued around $2,500.
JSO says Apeler has made 73 pawn transactions since the start of this year, and 72 of those were related to scrap metal. JSO further says Waller is currently out on bond on drug charges.
Both men have been arrested for grand theft.
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