Hamilton County, TN – For the last three months, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Detectives have conducted an investigation into numerous wire thefts that have occurred throughout Hamilton County. During the course of the investigation, information and leads were also found leading detectives to additional thefts in Marion County.

As a result of the three-month investigation, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Detectives charged ten individuals for wire theft. The investigation found that these ten individuals brazenly cut live AT&T and Charter Communications wiring off poles, burned the plastic off the wiring, and sold the copper at area scrap yards.

The ten individuals arrested by the Sheriff's Office are as follows:

• Christopher Sharber

• James Perry

• Michael Kostiuk

• Shane Basler

• Makayla Frizzell

• James Webb

• Mitchell Elsea

• Bailey McNabb

• Tracy Monds

• Terry Davis

All nine suspects were charged with Vandalism of Critical Infrastructure and Theft of Property over $10,000.

The total loss of copper wire is estimated at $250,000.

No further details are available.