The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney filed stealing and trespassing charges today against two Carthage men who allegedly stole more than $2,800 worth of copper cable on their first visit to Carthage Water & Electric and $3,500 worth of copper and tools on the second visit.
Warrants have been issued for the arrest of Jake Peterson (DOB 1982) and Thomas Morgan O'Connell (DOB 1967), with bond set at $10,000 cash only for both men.
From Peterson's probable cause statement:
On November 11, 2024, Carthage Police Officers responded to Carthage Water and Electric Plant (CWEP) substation number two located at the intersection of Southside and Main Street, in the City of Carthage.They advised over $2800 worth of copper cable was stolen. They advised they had a trail camera and provided images of the individuals who had unlawfully entered by cutting the fence and stealing items from the construction trailer.
On November 13, 2024, Carthage Police Officers responded to Carthage Water and Electric Plant (CWEP) substation number two located at the intersection of Southside and Main Street, in the City of Carthage. They reported they had videos of two individuals breaking into the contractor trailer again. They reported more than $3500 of copper and tools were stolen. They also located where the suspects entered into the fenced-in area. The total loss to repair the fence was $1200.
Carthage Officers subsequently identified the Co-Defendant to be one of the suspects via the provided security footage.
On November 13, 2024, Officers contacted the Co-Defendant when he committed a traffic violation on his bicycle. During the contact the Co-Defendant advised he did break into the substation and took the copper cable, however, he stated that Jake PETERSON took the tool to cut the cable.
The Co-Defendant advised he could go to PETERSON'S residence and retrieve the tool. Officers searched the Co-Defendant and followed him to PETERSON'S residence. The Co-Defendant entered the residence and one (1) minute later exited the residence with the stolen tool in question.
Officers contacted the Co-Defendant a few blocks away from the residence and retrieved the tool. A subsequent contact with CWEP and the contractors, B&L Electric, confirmed the Greenly “gator” cable cutter was theirs that was retrieved from PETERSON'S residence.
During a subsequent interview with PETERSON, he admitted to cutting part of the fence and entering into the secure area of the substation. He and the Co-Defendant then took several hundred feet of wire and the tool. He admitted to transporting the stolen goods to the Co-Defendant’s house and his house.
4 comments:
Jake Peterson and Thomas Morgan O'Connell, hopefully will get jail time for stealing. I did find it interesting that they each got a $10,000 Bond for stealing items valued at $6,300 -
While Katrina Gourley, is charged with stealing more than $27,000 from the village of Shoal Creek Drive, and her Bond is only $5,000. Her Bond does not reflect the seriousness or value of stealing - $27,000.
We cannot forget, Mark Peterson, former Carthage parks director, charged with stealing over $142,000, from the Carthage parks department, and his bond was only $10,000.
It seems - that White-Collar Crimes and Criminals are more Trustworthy so they deserve a Smaller Bond - - So, Kids stay in School so you can learn the Best White-Collar Tricks for Stealing - because White-Collar Criminals are held at a Higher Standard than just plain Criminals.
Seriously,
I hope they charge for property destruction as well, lock ‘em up
That funny but so true,white collar people take it easy on one another in case they get caught with their hand in the cookie jar
Plus the white collar crimes take 2-3 years to prosecute. These kind of crimes get tried and heard in 90 days
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