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Merrittstown man headed to court in alleged copper theft

By Miles Layton jmlayton@heraldstandard.Com 2 min read

A Merrittstown man accused of allegedly stealing copper from West Penn Power had some of the charges against him waived to Fayette County Court on Monday.

Jesse Lee Breakiron, 22, waived charges of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, and conspiracy to commit each, to court. Prosecutors withdrew charges of corrupt organizations and dealing in unlawful activities.

Police allege that copper wire was cut from utility poles between May 1 and May 30 in the Century Road area outside Brownsville. The criminal complaint said eight utility poles were damaged, and about 4,485 feet of copper line was stolen.

A quartet of people was charged with the alleged theft of the copper wire.

The group reportedly sold about more than 1,200 pounds of copper wire to Metalico Brownsville on Brownsville Road, police said. They split the $3,381 they were paid for the scrap metal, police allege.

According to court documents, Samuel Harden Jr., 21, and Michael Clifford McGraw Jr., 30, both of Hiller, were charged with corrupt organizations, dealing in procuring unlawful activities, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.

During Harden and McGraw’s preliminary hearing July 14 before Magisterial Senior Judge Brenda Cavalacante, the charges of theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief were waived, while their remaining charges of corrupt organizations and dealing in procuring unlawful activities were withdrawn.

Breakiron and McGraw remain in Fayette County Prison.

Harden posted $35,000 bond June 20 and was released from Fayette County Prison.

Melanie Dawn Crowe, 35, of Vestaburg was charged with corrupt organizations, dealing in procuring unlawful activities, theft, receiving stolen property and two counts of conspiracy.

When Crowe was arraigned June 23 by Defino, her bond was set at $35,000, unsecured.

Crowe had her preliminary hearing rescheduled from Monday to a later date, according to Defino’s office.

A West Penn Power spokesman said previously that the cost to repair the damage from the incident will range into the tens of thousands of dollars.

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