Three people, including one from Cortlandt Manor, are facing charges in connection with the tampering of a utility pole on Route 9, officials said.
"While patrolling Route 9 in the Town of Philipstown, Deputy Sheriff Ryan McMahon was flagged down by a passing motorist and advised that three subjects were tampering with a utility pole alongside Route 9 near the Westchester County line," authorities with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said of the incident, which occurred at about 5:15 p.m. Nov. 12. "The deputy responded to the scene and confronted three subjects who unsuccessfully attempted to flee when they observed the deputy approach."
Michele P. Diamond, 37, of Mahopac; Mark A. Picariello, 37, of Cortlandt Manor; and Daniel J. Weber, 35, of Yorktown Heights, allegedly cut approximately 40 feet of three-inch telephone cable from the utility pole. They were also in possession of the equipment used to cut the cable, according to a press release.
Telephone cable is often made of copper.
Each defendant is facing felony charges of fourth-degree grand larceny and third-degree criminal mischief. Picariello was also charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.
Following arraignment before Town of Philipstown Justice Alan Steiner, all three were sent to the Putnam County Correctional Facility. They will be due in court at a later date.
Deputy Sheriff Johnathan Cihanek assisted in the investigation.
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