A man was arrested in Uintah County this month for the alleged theft of copper wire from well locations. According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, a report of theft in the area of 6750 South 6000 East in Uintah County was received on April 30th and an officer responded, observing that wires had been cut and a machine damaged due to wires being cut in multiple locations. On May 2nd, another similar report came in where officers observed that the power transformer above the machine had wires that had been removed and were now hanging on the ground. Another call of cut wires came in on May 3rd. On May 4th, a tip came in from Basin Recycling that two people had turned in large copper wire that had been painted orange like the kind officers were looking for. Officers responded and met with Ryland Simpson who claimed that the copper wire had been picked up while cleaning up a yard for a man. During an inventory of Ryland’s vehicle more items from the scene of the theft were located. 23-year-old Ryland Simpson was arrested and is charged with 2nd Degree Felony Theft and Criminal Mischief.
