$250,000 Wire Theft Investigation Leads To The Arrest Of 10 People

  • Monday, November 27, 2023

For the last three months, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office detectives have conducted an investigation into numerous wire thefts that have occurred throughout Hamilton County. During the course of the investigation, information and leads were also found leading detectives to additional thefts in Marion County.

As a result of the three-month investigation, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office detectives charged 10 people for wire theft. The investigation found that these 10 people cut live AT&T and Charter Communications wiring off poles, burned the plastic off the wiring, and sold the copper at area scrap yards.

The 10 people arrested by the Sheriff's Office are:

  • Christopher Sharber
  • James Perry
  • Michael Kostiuk
  • Shane Basler
  • Makayla Frizzell
  • James Webb
  • Mitchell Elsea
  • Bailey McNabb
  • Tracy Monds
  • Terry Davis

All 10 suspects were charged with vandalism of critical infrastructure and theft of property over $10,000.

The total loss of copper wire is estimated at $250,000.

Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 7/8/2025

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report. (If your case is dismissed, just email us your name and date we ran it and we will promptly take off. Email to news@chattanoogan.com ) ALEXANDER,GREGORY ... more

DCA To Continue Work Helping Improve Miller Park
  • 7/7/2025

The city is planning to continue to call on the Downtown Chattanooga Alliance for help in improving the situation at Miller Park downtown. Officials said the DCA last fiscal year helped city ... more

Man Charged With Reckless Homicide In Fatal Wreck Last December
Man Charged With Reckless Homicide In Fatal Wreck Last December
  • 7/7/2025

A charge of reckless homicide has been brought against a man involved in a fatal wreck near Highway 153 last December. Dylan Brock Babin, 21 of Trion, Ga., died later from his injuries. ... more