Early yesterday morning at approximately 7:45 a.m., a passing motorist reported to a Deputy, several suspicious parties were seen at McDonald Cemetery located at 8814 Snow Hill Road. When deputies arrived at that location, they found a female standing near a vehicle and then observed two male parties walking through the cemetery. While talking to the male parties, deputies found bolt cutters, and other tools as well as copper wire near a headstone where the males were located. They also found other cutting tools and an additional amount of copper wire in the vehicle.

While checking the area around the cemetery, copper wire was found missing from several utility poles. The Volunteer Energy Cooperative was notified, who found that copper wire used as ground wire for electric poles had been removed. John Selvidge, a supervisor with Volunteer Cooperative advised that there is an extreme risk of electrocution for anyone involved in this type of theft. He also requested if possible that this fact should be publicized to help raise public awareness of the danger in this type of activity.

Charged in this incident was David Farris age 33 and Shannon Smith age 30, for Possession of Burglary Tools, Destroying or Interfering with Utility Lines and Theft of Property. The third suspect is a juvenile who was turned over to his grandfather. The paper work for criminal charges will be filed through the Hamilton County Juvenile Court. Both adults were transported to the Hamilton County Jail.