Reno man held on highway copper theft charges

RENO, Nev. (AP) - Sheriff's investigators say a Reno man arrested trying to strip wire from a highway utility box may be responsible for more than a quarter of a million dollars' worth of copper wire thefts in the area.

Washoe County sheriff's detectives say 41-year-old Barry Eslick was arrested early Wednesday after he was caught trying to take wire from a utility box along Highway 395.

Eslick was being held on $11,750 bail pending a court appearance on attempted grand larceny, felony malicious destruction of property and possession of burglary tools charges.

Investigators say Eslick may be linked to four other burglaries around Washoe County, totaling about $282,000 in stolen copper.

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Information from: KOLO-TV, http://www.kolotv.com