Zalma men suspected of stealing wire

ZALMA, Mo. -- Charged with second-degree felony burglary, two Zalma men have Jan. 11 court dates before Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis. The burglary charge carries a maximum 15-year prison term.

Curtis W. Wallace, 17, and Nickolas J. Jackson, 20, are accused of stealing about 600 pounds of copper wire from a storage shed in Zalma in October.

"That's a significant amount of copper," said Bollinger County chief deputy Leo McElrath. "You can get about $2 a pound at the salvage yard for that."

The suspects allegedly sold the wire for about $330 to a Cape Girardeau salvage yard, according to the probable-cause statement.

McElrath said Bollinger County investigators followed tips in apprehending the two men, who later reportedly admitted to police their involvement in the crime. McElrath said that the theft was reported Oct. 31.

The wire, of various thicknesses, had been stored in an open shed in a field area distant from the residence. The owner planned to use it for rewiring structures on his property, he said.

The suspects were allegedly riding four-wheelers around the area when they came upon the shed and noticed the wire, he said.

They allegedly returned at a later time and took the wire, stripping it of its insulation before selling it, according to the probable-cause statement.

Investigators searched the property where the men allegedly removed the insulation and found only a pile of ashes, the burned remains of the wire coating, the statement said.

carel@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127