Smith police charge two men in burglary at solar panel park
Charles Wiliam Thomas, 28, of 126 Florence Ave. Extension, Burgettstown, and Ryan Seth Vega, 24, of 430 Fourth Ave., Langeloth.
Charles Wiliam Thomas
Ryan Seth Vega
Two men are accused of breaking into a Smith Township solar panel park in December, doing more than $50,000 in damage and rendering the plant inoperable after they allegedly stole copper wire.
Charles Wiliam Thomas, 28, of 126 Florence Ave. Extension, Burgettstown, and Ryan Seth Vega, 24, of 430 Fourth Ave., Langeloth, are charged with burglary, theft, criminal trespass, theft of secondary metal and criminal mischief filed by township police.
Police were called Dec. 10 to Sunrise Energy Solar Panel Park, 71 Smith Park Drive, in the Slovan area of the township for a report of damage and the theft of copper wire.
A representative of the company told police it would cost about $49,700 to replace the wiring. Several electronic devices also shorted out and were damaged, but a damage estimate could not be completed until all of the wiring was replaced.
Earlier this month, police received a tip Thomas and Vega were the two responsible for the damage at the plant.
During an interview Thursday, Thomas reportedly admitted to entering the park with Vega. He claimed Vega asked for his help in scrapping some copper wire he had at his home. Vega also told Thomas he had additional wire to pick up. The two men reportedly walked from Vega’s home to the solar panel park entering through a hole cut in the fence.
Thomas told police he did not cut any wire, but removed wire that Vega cut during an earlier visit. He also reportedly told police the two sold the copper the next day at a scrap yard in Steubenville, Ohio.
While talking with police, Thomas received a text message from Vega about selling more copper. Thomas made arrangements to meet Vega, where police took him into custody. Vega led police to the basement of his home where copper wire was found.
Vega reportedly admitted to police he entered the park about 50 times over the past few months and stole copper wire.
Thomas, who has been in Washington County jail since Thursday on a parole detainer, was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Gary Havelka, who set bond at $50,000. Vega was arraigned early Friday before District Judge David Mark and placed in jail on $50,000 bond. Both men are scheduled for an April 26 preliminary hearing before Havelka.