Two Nashville men are accused of trying to turn a highway sign into scrap money after officers say they caught the pair cutting copper wiring from a Tennessee Department of Transportation gantry sign along Interstate 24.
Metro police say the men admitted they were attempting to pull the copper, which powers overhead traffic signs, and were arrested on attempted theft and vandalism charges. Authorities estimate the damage at about $10,000, compared with roughly $1,500 in recycling value for the copper itself.
In a press release from City of Nashville, officials said, “TDOT employees advised the wiring was worth approximately $1,500, but the damage caused was estimated at $10,000 to repair.” The release identified the suspects as 42-year-old Michael See and 41-year-old Thomas Allard and said Southeast Precinct officers made the arrests Wednesday night after spotting suspicious activity along I-24.
As reported by WSMV, officers found a small bag of methamphetamine on See, and he faces an additional drug possession count on top of the attempted theft and vandalism charges. Police say both men acknowledged they were trying to remove the copper and were booked Wednesday morning.
Why Copper Theft Matters On Busy Corridors
Ripping out copper from traffic infrastructure is not just a property crime. It can knock out key equipment and leave already-busy roadways operating with fewer safeguards, while taxpayers pick up the repair tab.
A recent series of incidents in Memphis drove that point home, with authorities there reporting about $100,000 in stolen copper from city systems. Coverage of the case ripped $100K in city copper, detailing how metal thefts can cripple cameras and other critical infrastructure.
Charges And Next Steps
Both See and Allard are charged with attempted theft and vandalism, and See faces the additional drug possession charge, according to WSMV. The cases will be sent to prosecutors for review and any formal filings.
The city’s release said TDOT crews will evaluate and repair the damage to the wiring as quickly as possible and thanked the responding officers for their quick work. Officials did not immediately say whether any overhead signs were left offline, but crews were expected to restore the equipment in the coming days, according to City of Nashville.
