Duo accused of wire theft in Merced

Two men were arrested Thursday morning by Merced police on suspicion of stealing copper wire.

Police responded to the 3300 block of San Mateo Court at 7:46 a.m. after a report of two people lighting something on fire behind an apartment complex, according to a Merced police press release.

Officers contacted Michael Vargas, 37, and Noel Cortez, 45. Police said Vargas and Cortez had been burning and stripping copper wire. The copper wire was identified as stolen city property by Merced’s Public Works Department. The wire is used by the city for street lighting.

Police said there have been several reports of copper wire being stolen from streetlights during the past year.

Vargas and Cortez were arrested and booked at the Merced County jail on suspicion of possessing stolen property. The stolen copper wire is valued at about $3,000.

This story was originally published November 6, 2014 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Duo accused of wire theft in Merced."