SOUTHPORT, NY — A Waverly man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing copper utility lines from a cell phone tower.
Vincent DePaul, 38, of Waverly, was arrested on charges of criminal mischief in the second degree, grand larceny in the third degree, and criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, all class D felonies.
Deputies from the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol were dispatched to an address in the town of Southport at approximately 12:23 p.m. on May 26, 2026, for a criminal mischief and theft report.
During the investigation, deputies learned that someone climbed a cell phone tower approximately 60 feet and cut and removed multiple copper utility lines.
Deputies developed a lead for a suspect vehicle and notified the Criminal Investigation Division.
The Criminal Investigation Division took over the investigation and developed DePaul as a suspect.
Investigators learned that DePaul had redeemed the copper from the lines that had been cut at a scrap yard outside of Chemung County.
DePaul was arraigned in the town of Southport Court and remanded to the Chemung County Jail.
The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Waverly Police Department and the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office.
