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Florida couple arrested, charged with stealing power lines knocked down during Hurricane Irma

Florida couple arrested, charged with stealing power lines knocked down during Hurricane Irma
Posted at 7:42 AM, Sep 19, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-19 10:31:03-04

A Florida couple was arrested on Saturday after authorities say the pair tried to steal over $5,000 worth of power lines that had been knocked down during Hurricane Irma.

According to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, 41-year-old Charles Mahoy and 45-year-old Andrea Foster were cutting and damaging lines belonging to a local power company, to facilitate storing it in the back of their truck. 

RELATED | Florida men caught with stolen power pole strapped to SUV in wake of Hurricane Irma

The sheriff's office began an investigation into the crime after a resident reported two suspects on his property in Altamonte Springs without permission, cutting downed power lines. The pole supporting the lines snapped in half during Hurricane Irma. Further investigation revealed at least $5,000 worth of downed power lines cut up and placed in the back of the vehicle.

Marijuana and methamphetamine were also located in the truck along with drug paraphernalia. Deputies arrested Mahoy and Foster on charges of Larceny during a State of Emergency, Criminal Mischief and drug possession.